Farm Fresh Atlas makes it easy to find locally grown food
You've heard that eating food grown close to home is good for the environment, family farms, our local economy and your health. But putting local food on your plate can be a challenge if you don't know where to buy it.
No problem. Whether you want to stock your pantry or dine out, the 2007 Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas makes it easy to buy and eat locally grown food. This free 40-page booklet lists more than 150 farms, farmers' markets and food-related businesses that sell a variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, eggs and other products.
All farms, businesses and organizations listed in the atlas have pledged to protect land and water resources, treat animals with care and respect, and provide safe working conditions for their employees.
The 2007 Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas will be available starting Saturday, April 21, at the Dane County Farmers' Market and other area farmers' markets, libraries and dozens of stores and businesses.
There is also an online version of the atlas at the REAP Food Group Web site. That Web site also provides a list of places to pick up a copy of the atlas.
"The atlas is a big resource for people to connect with a local farm," says Kristen Kordet of Blue Moon Community Farm in Dane County, one of dozens of farms listed. Blue Moon has a 50-member community-shared agriculture program and sells 40 kinds of vegetables at the Westside Community Farmers' Market in Madison.
In addition to listing local growers, the atlas includes area markets that carry products from those farms. "It gets the word out about small farmers and small businesses that are not the big box," adds Rosie Zimmer, owner of Local Choice Farm Market in Spring Green.
Regional editions of the atlas are available for western, eastern, central and southeastern Wisconsin. For more information, visit the atlas Web site. Another site that can point you to farms across the state is http://SavorWisconsin.com.
The 2007 Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas is a collaborative project of the REAP Food Group, the Dane County Farmers' Market, the UW–Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and the Friends of the Dane County Farmers' Market. It is underwritten by Heartland Credit Union, with major financial support provided by local businesses and organizations.
To distribute copies of the 2007 Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas or for more information about this resource, contact Miriam Grunes at (608) 294-1114 or miriam@reapfoodgroup.org.
