Eat Local First is an organization that has been at the forefront of encouraging the citizens of Edmonton to think about where their food is coming from, and helping them choose food that is produced by local farmers as well as find independent restaurants in which to dine.

“Eat Local started several years ago as a brochure for our farmers and independent restaurants to promote ‘eating local.’ From there it expanded to include signage in grocery stores and then home delivery of local foods,” says founder Jessie Radies, who resides nearby in Norwood.

“Our goal was to make our citizens more aware of the impact of their choices.”

Radies, who also owns the Blue Pear Restaurant, had some very personal reasons for wanting to start Eat Local First. “I grew up on a farm and saw the steady decline in rural communities over the past 30 years,” she says. “I have worked in food service for 25 years, and I live in the inner city. So, the economic benefit and the great quality of our local products are the two main motivators.”

McCauley resident Heidi Veluw is also involved with Eat Local First. I became involved in this project because I have always been involved in community economic development projects that create economic capacity for communities,” she explains. “Small farmers and their fabulous products have often been ignored by large food chain grocers and Eat Local First gives people an opportunity to get their food beyond the farmers’ market.”

“I also am a big supporter of local business and see the impact of local business on our community,” Veluw continues. “For example, in our neighbourhood, the revitalization of Giovanni Caboto Park was supported by local volunteers and local business members creating an amazing vibrant community park that changes our neighbourhood.”

Why should people eat locally? “Eating locally makes us healthier, allows us to enjoy fresher and better tasting food, helps our local economy, makes our rural communities more sustainable, and reduces our environmental footprint,” Radies answers.

Radies emphasizes that people can make a large impact by making small changes in their eating and shopping habits such as by “shopping at the Italian Centre, picking up bread at your local bakery, or visiting a farmers market. Shifting [our habits] 10 – 25% will have a huge impact.”

For more information, visit www.live-local.ca.