Local Food in Arlington

by Liza

While the environment and our effect on it has been a hotly discussed lately, what most people don't realize is the impact of their “food print,” which is the global impact of your food consumption. For example, the average U.S. citizen eats 50 fast-food burgers per year, which, as a nation, equals the carbon emissions of 6.5 million SUVs (“Sow What," Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.).

To reduce this food print, turn first to your local vendors; this, first of all, cuts down on the vehicles used to transport your food over long distances, as most farmers' markets have restrictions on the distance the farmers can travel to sell their food. It is for this reason that farmers' markets usually carry high-quality produce. You can find weekly farmers' markets in Courthouse, Clarendon, Ballston, Crystal City, and Rosslyn. Details on local farmers' markets can be found online.

Another way to support local vendors is by participating in programs like Local Foods, Local Chefs: Farm to Table Month in Arlington, which is supported by Virginia Cooperative Extension. Restaurants like Eventide and Restaurant 3 in Clarendon have participated in this initiative to highlight local growers.

To further cut down on your food print, you can also grow your own food! If you don't have space to spare, Arlington is host to eight community gardens, most of which provide water. If you meet the garden's requirements, you can utilize their space to start a garden. Five hours per week must be put in and there is a charge for water, but you get the satisfaction of knowing exactly what is in your food and reducing your food print!