Why Eating Locally is Important for Fort Collins
Americans love being served. According to Consumer Reports, we spend over $680 billion each year dining out. Going out to eat is apart of the American lifestyle, but why do people choose to eat at certain restaurants over others? Convenience is a factor, as many Americans crave a quick meal and it doesn’t hurt if it can be found on a “dollar menu”. While chain restaurants are familiar and branded towards consumers, there is something to be said about the benefits of eating locally, or food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market.
Living in Fort Collins allows for an abundance of opportunities to eat locally. Many restaurants boast the fact they receive their food from regional farmers and can tell you where the food was grown and who grew it. This not only connects the community but also cuts cost of shipping food. According to The National Resources Defense Council, a typical American meal contains ingredients from five countries, and domestically grown produce travels an average of 1,500 miles before it is sold. The delivery of these food services adds to pollution and global warming but also weakens the freshness of food through travel. The freshest, most energy efficient food can be found just around the corner.
Aside from restaurants that serve locally grown food, farmer’s markets are another way to get your hands on fresh foods for personal preparation. Fort Collins markets are open from April through October and even host a Winter Farmers Market for year round access. Farmer’s markets are also a great way to know the farmer and make connections with who grew the food you consume.
When it comes to choosing where to eat, you are also choosing where to give your money. When you spend money at local restaurants, the money stays within the community and strengthens the local economy. Restaurants that are locally owned are involved in the community. They are run and managed by people who have a fundamental investment in the well being of their business and the service they provide. Often times these restaurants have better service and happier staff. The Colorado Room, owned and operated by Justin Serr, a Colorado native, highlights how a restaurant can be involved in the community and make a difference. The Colorado Room features art from local artists, uses food from local farmers and donates a portion of proceeds to a local charity. Eating at The Colorado Room is a sounder investment for the community than going to restaurants such as Red Lobster or Olive Garden, where employees have filed lawsuits due to poor working conditions. The Colorado Room has friendly staff who are eager to help and serve their customers and fellow community members.
Many chain restaurants also have over sized portions and dishes that are loaded with calories. Some chains include nutrition facts on the menu so customers can make healthier choices but the facts are not always correct. While some menu items may look healthy they can be deceptively loaded with calories. Americans are also throwing away food by the pound, 20 pounds per month per person to be exact, wasting nearly $165 billion worth of food each year. Local restaurants are more vocal when talking about the quality of their food and usually serve quality over quantity. By being more conscious about where our food comes from and who prepares it we can intake healthier food and minimize excessive waste.
One of the most compelling arguments for eating locally is that the food tastes better. When you make connections with who and where your food comes from it brings integrity back to eating. Eating should be about more than gaining energy or filling a pit in your stomach, it should be an enjoyable experience including quality ingredients. The Kitchen in Old Town is a great example of quality food and company. Their community table allows for neighbors to sit together and share meals, converse and bring more to the dining experience. Stressing local food and the local community to come together and enjoy meals is one of the oldest traditions humans have and by eating locally we can bring back thoughtful eating.
