Continuing Education Press Releases

Become a 'Locavore' With Lifelong Learning at the U

Learn How to Take Advantage of Utah's Local Food Resources

May 18, 2011 – Eating local is more than a trend – it's a rediscovery of regional identity, a direct way to support the local economy and a way to help reduce our nation's dependence on oil by eliminating costly transport.

Named Best Food and Wine Educator in Utah by Salt Lake Magazine, Lifelong Learning offers a class, Eating Local, June 1, 2011. Learn where to find local farmers and food producers, markets that focus on local foods, and tips on how to take advantage of Utah's local harvests. Eating Local also provides information on local food co-ops, community gardens and the benefits of eating locally.

Studies have shown that eating locally not only promotes healthy bodies, it's also better for the environment and our communities. The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture reported that the average fresh food item travels 1,500 miles to get to dinner tables.

A study in Iowa found that a regional diet consumed 17 times less oil and gas than a typical diet based on food shipped across the country. Buying local foods eliminates the need for fuel guzzling transportation.

The Center for a New American Dream (CNAD) found that local food is often safer since small farms tend to be less aggressive with chemical use than larger factory farms. Small farms are also more likely to grow a wider variety of product, which protects biodiversity and long-term food security.

"Eating local when possible and knowing where your food is coming from is important." said Mandy Self, Director of Lifelong Learning at the U. "It's important for your health, the environment, and the community. We need to support local growers. The food is fresher, more nutritious, and is produced and transported with less environmental impact."

Not only is eating locally better for our bodies it helps build better communities. Eating locally helps connect individuals to vendors at farmers markets creating relationships with more people than a single supermarket. Studies have also shown that of every 100 dollars spent at locally owned business 45 dollars goes back into the community as compared to the 14 dollars from large supermarkets.

Learn how to incorporate Utah's agriculture into your shopping list through Lifelong Learning. Eating Local runs Wednesday, June 1, 2011, from 7 - 9 p.m. at the University of Utah. For more information please visit Lifelong Learning at www.lifelong.utah.edu or call 801-587-LIFE (5433).

About Lifelong Learning at The University of Utah
Lifelong Learning at The University of Utah provides high-quality evening and weekend classes that challenge, inform, entertain and generally enrich the lives of adults through learning and social interaction.

Additional Links

• Earthtalk: Why Eat Locally?
• 10 Reasons to Eat Local Food
• The Benefits of Eating Locally