Why it mattersSince 1900, over 95 percent of crop varieties have become extinct. Shocking isn't it?
Why should we care? Many of our current seeds are hybrids, which means their seeds do not produce true to form causing many farmers to rely on seeds from the seed companies each year.
So what does that mean to Joe the Shopper? Loss of crop varieties reduces our cultural and flavor diversity; makes us vulnerable to crop devastation from a single insect, disease, or global weather change; and limits our future medicinal discoveries. What’s more, it makes the world’s farmers dependent on corporate monoliths for their basic needs.
According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, the vast majority of energy used in the U.S. food system (around 80 percent) goes to processing, packaging, transporting, storing, and preparing food. Produce in the U.S. travels, on average, 1300 - 2000 miles from farm to consumer. Since 1970, truck shipping has dramatically increased, replacing more energy efficient transportation by rail and water. Local food systems can reduce "food miles" and transportation costs, offering significant energy savings. Consumers also benefit from fresher, better-tasting, and more nutritious food, while more food dollars stay within rural communities.
You can choose varieties that are more flavorful because we offer a variety. Our produce travels less than 30 miles to get to market. Everything we sell is grown on Berry Creek Farm, not trucked in from neighboring states. We are certified organic here at Berry Creek Farm with everything but the peaches, and are transitional with them, so hope for certification soon.
"Farm Fresh" to us is not some trite, over-used slogan used to promote sales. It's our way of life!
Locally grown and produced foods from Oklahoma are fresh and delicious. Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local farmers can offer produce varieties grown for taste and ripe with freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life. We are proud members of the Kerr Center's Buy Fresh Buy Local program. Click on the image to the left for more information!
