Buying Local

By Jene' Young Meteorologist

Buying local produce could reduce the need for gas and help local farmers. Buying Local

Published: Mon, June 16, 2008 - 9:37 pm

Jene' Young

Before there were grocery stores around the corner, people had to buy local. With the cost of fuel, and the cost of food on the rise, local farmers are looking for your business.

From fuel cost, to rising seed prices, local farmers have a lot on their plates!
James Miles, from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System of Mobile says our local farmers have been through a lot.
"Not only have the food prices increased, doubled in the past two years, but also our fertilizer prices have gone up. So the price to produce that watermelon has more than doubled in the past few years."

Miles says buying straight from the farmer cuts down another cost.
"One of the neat things about buying local is, the fossil fuels or fuels in general that's used to get the produce to you. You cut that cost tremendously by doing that."
being green and buying local may end up saving you some green."

Safety is also an important issue for local farmers. According to the Food and Drug Administration, tomatoes grown throughout the News 5 area are safe to eat.
Miles says he eats local produce right off the vine, and brings it home often.

Thursday morning, you can head down to the Farmer's Market in Mobile. The market starts at 7:00 am and ends when the produce runs out, usually around noon. There, you will be able to buy directly from the farmers.