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Consumers encouraged to buy locally grown food

The Gazette Opinion Staff

Dec. 25, 2011 11:03 pm

I think that as Iowans we should become more aware of where our food comes from. Eighty percent of the produce we consume in Iowa comes from another state or country. That food travels 1,300 to 1,800 miles just to reach us. All that traveling food has a big impact on the environment. The semi trucks and airplanes that bring the food to us create air pollution (global warming). The trucks also create lots of wear and tear on the roads.

People in Iowa spend $8 billion a year on food, and if we bought local food, the farmers would be able to keep more of that money. Not only that, but we would know exactly where our food comes from and how it is grown.

Irene Schulte

North Liberty

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