Early in the 21st century, there has been something of a return to the appreciation of locally grown food and there is a burgeoning understanding that investing in one's own local economy by supporting nearby primary and secondary producers has far-reaching benefits.

 But not only is supporting local producers important for the economy, in an era in which food supplies are stretched and there are a variety of different threats to imports, having access to a strong supply of local food can prove critical for localized communities during times of emergency.

 One of the more popular approaches to promoting local consumption has been the "100-Mile Diet," a book which encourages would-be participants to strive to eat food produced within a 100-mile radius of their home community.

 The notion of a 100-mile diet first garnered attention when Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon began a one-year experiment in local eating within a 100-mile radius, which became the bestselling book of that very name.

 Since publication of the work, the concept has been adopted in many corners of North America by those who understand the economic and health benefits associated with buying sustainable, local food - the book itself becoming a source of inspiration for those who are looking to thrive as much as possible on locally produced food.

 For those living here on the South Shore who are interested in pursuing a 100-mile-diet type of lifestyle, there are plenty of avenues through which you may find the food you or your family need.

 In fact, the Lunenburg Queens Regional Development Agency has recently released its own virtual catalogue of the best places to get fresh agricultural products in our two counties.

 The document, which numbers approximately 90 listings, is a remarkable directory and includes contact and location information for an incredible range of businesses in 15 different categories.

 Among the categories are baked goods, beef products, berry crops, beverages, field crops, field vegetables, fish and shellfish, herbs, maple products, organic products, pork, poultry, sheep and lamb, services and specialty products.

 For more information, or the complete agricultural directory, you can visit http://www.lqrda.ca.

 Among the many great community-based assets we have here in Lunenburg County to encourage people to eat locally grown food are our plethora of local farmers' markets.

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 In Hubbards, the Hubbards Barn is the site of a regular farmers' market, which takes place each Saturday.

 In Lunenburg, the Thursday farmers' market, held at the Lunenburg community centre, has for several years now been a popular attraction for those looking to get into their food on a grassroots level.

 In its second year, the Bridgewater Farmers' Market, which takes place during the summer months on King Street, in the heart of town, beginning at 8:30 each Saturday morning is a must-visit for those seeking a taste of nature.

 In Mahone Bay, the farmers' market in that community takes place on Friday mornings between 8:30 and 12:30 on Edgewater Street in the shadow of the three churches.

 The New Germany Farmers' Market is celebrating another great year. Each Saturday, visitors can get the best of local plants, meats, veggies and more beginning at 8:30 a.m. at St. John's Anglican Church hall on Highway 10.

 In New Ross, the market marks its fifth anniversary this summer, operating from 9 to noon every Saturday morning at Ross Farm Museum.

 These are, too, but a sampling of the venues from which one can buy locally produced food.

 What's more, farmers' markets are often great venues where you can go and chat with the person who actually produced the edible goods you'll be buying.

 If you have any questions about the production process, or even what goes into the soil, markets are a great place to ask those questions and truly come to understand the nature of your food.

posted on 06/15/10