More and more, people are choosing food that didn’t travel thousands of miles before landing on their dinner table. They see it as the path to more healthful food, a sound environment and a better life for farmers.

In 2007, the Oxford English Dictionary approved the term “locavore” and defined it as “a person who endeavors to eat only locally produced food.”

“We have noticed a tremendous increase in demand for naturally raised food and an increased mistrust of what is in the stores,” said Patricia Houchin, a Patrick County cattle farmer. “People don’t have a lot of faith in the system anymore. They are looking for good, clean food.”

Brigitte Williams, a 41-year-old stay-at-home mom in Floyd, said a number of factors drove her to buy as much local food as she can find and afford.A

Many consumers find local food at farmers markets. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of operating farmers markets in the country increased from 1,755 in 1994 to more than 4,300 in 2006.

Some locavores use Community Supported Agriculture, where customers essentially pay farmers up front for a season’s worth of fresh, local foods, which may include fruit, produce and dairy. Still others shop cooperatives like Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op or Harvest Moon Food Store in Floyd, which are supplied with an array of local products.

In growing numbers, chain grocery stores are also choosing to carry local goods. Flaccavento’s group, which helps local farmers package and sell their organic produce, is now supplying companies such as Food City, Whole Foods and Ukrop’s.

Last but not least, the local food movement is highly visible in the world of fine dining. In some places, it is the gourmet chefs who are at the forefront of local food sourcing.

If a pork chop came from Mountain Run Farm in Bedford County, chances are that will be noted on restaurant menus, right along with the Full Circle Farms fingerling potatoes and Waterbear Farm kale.

Tags: china, department of agriculture, endeavor, harvest moon, Health, healthful food, houchin, local food, local foods, menus, natural food, others shop, oxford english dictionary, pork chop, sound environment, travel thousands, ukrop

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