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Taste the Difference

The trouble with turkeys is that you don't know where they've been. Finding out, however, can be as easy as pumpkin pie, when you buy local. More >

Learn Your Labels

Certified organic, farm-raised, free-range, grass-fed... the list seems endless. But what do these eco-labels really mean? More >

Eat Seasonally

Eggplant out of season? Not to worry, winter squash is a worthy replacement. Learn the secrets of eating sustainably without sacrificing your favorite dishes. More >

When Mary Ann Flaherty discovered that in a year's time, the number of miles traveled by the average American's food items is equal to the same distance covered by ten trips to the moon and back, she knew that she had to stop eating oranges.

It's been three years since Mary Ann, a Philadelphia-based social sciences researcher, first read about the global Buy Fresh, Buy Local movement and raised it as a subject for discussion by the spiritual and ecology group she founded in 1994. It was during that meeting that the globetrotting nature of much of the food we eat and the pollution caused by its transport came to light. In response, the group decided to make a year-long commitment to reducing their impact on the environment by cutting back on their own transportation use and supporting others who do the same. Making more sustainable food choices seemed an obvious first step.

Mary Ann had always tried to eat healthy foods, but she wasn't familiar with the world of farmers' markets. Finding the Fair Food Farmstand at the Reading Terminal Market and meeting Ann Karlen, co-director of the Fair Food Project, out of which the Fair Food Farmstand was born, proved to be an eye-opening experience. "One item at a time" quickly became her motto as Mary Ann gradually weaned herself off of grocery store shopping and made the transition to sustainable foods. Three years after that initial commitment to make a difference, Mary Ann says, "It hasn't felt like a burden at any point. It's been a wonderful experience to discover what an abundant breadbasket we have right here in Pennsylvania."

Today, Mary Ann's diet is made up of approximately 65% local foods, including the items she grows in her own garden at home. For things she can't get locally-produced, like imported olive oil, she's switched to a domestic brand. Despite a hectic work schedule, Mary Ann also finds time to volunteer at the Fair Food Farmstand, working to raise the consciousness of others about the value of locally grown foods. She also frequently hosts local food potluck dinners and has recently purchased a hybrid vehicle.

Mary Ann's commitment to making a difference and her passion for locally grown foods is inspiring. "The food is so delicious when it's locally grown that you almost don't have to eat as much. The incredible flavors are as filling as the foods. People need to experience the difference." We agree.