Fourth of July doesn't always have to be about fireworks and sparklers. It can be about simple steps and big ideas, ones that give you the warm fuzzies (internal sparklers) instead of, say, gut aches from too much jello salad and orange punch.
In fact, you don't have to go to a busy lake or deal with large, sweaty crowds to find some of those feel-goods (and community good) this Independence Day. All you have to do is declare your independence this Fourth of July by celebrating and partaking in
Food Independence Day.
The concept is easy: Take simple steps to ensure that your meals use as many local, sustainable ingredients as possible. And sign a
"Declaration of Food Independence" to express your support
of kitchen gardens, local food, farmers, farms, and producers and encourage first families in every state to lead by example by doing the same.
Why is Food Independence Day so important to you and your community? Because we know that the average meal travels 1,500 miles from the industrial farm to your table. And we know that the average meal from those farms creates 650 times more CO2 than a meal born at local organic farms, a globe-harming result of conventional farm practices and processing, packaging, and shipping the food all over. And we know that local, organic food is healthier for us and the planet, and that the entire state benefits when money is being put back into our towns and local communities. So, really, it's less of a battle than a victory. Bring on the fireworks!
An educational project and policy initiative organized by Kitchen Gardeners International, Food Independence Day promotes the concept of health and sustainability, and encourages others to join the cause. You can easily become a source for sustainability in your area. Log on to Food Independence Day to promote the cause and ask others to join with you.