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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. This Thanksgiving, fill your home with the tempting aromas of a melt-in-your-mouth, oven-ready, local farm-raised turkey. While enjoying the incredible flavors of an organic bird, you and your guests will be protecting the environment and supporting local farming communities. Seventeen percent of all fossil fuel used in the United States is consumed by the food production system. Fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) are used in excess by factory farms every step of the way in processing the foods we love to eat and in transporting them over vast distances before they reach our table. Conversely, local, organic farming operations have been shown to use 60% less fossil fuel per unit of food than conventional industrial farms. Download a full holiday menu (PDF format) complete with recipes for using in-season local foods. To order your holiday turkey from a local Pennsylvania farm, email ann@whitedog.com at the Fair Food Farmstand by November 13.
	Learn your Labels Certified organic, farm-raised, free-range, grass-fed... the list seems endless. But what do these eco-labels really mean? Trying to figure out the difference between free-range and cage-free can be frustrating for even the most well-meaning environmentalist. A good rule of thumb is to buy directly from local farmers' markets whenever possible to ensure that you know the origins of your food and how it was grown or raised. When you can't buy local, buy products labeled "USDA certified-organic", "free-farmed" or "fair trade." A product with the USDA label "organic" means it contains at least 95% organic ingredients. "Made with organic" means the product contains at least 70% organic ingredients. The "free-farmed" label is certified by the American Humane Society which inspects and verifies that producers provide humane treatment for their farm animals. The "fair trade" label is regulated by the Fair Trade Federation, which is committed to providing fair wages to farmers in developing countries while promoting the use of environmentally sustainable practices. Other labels—such as "free-range", "cage- free", "natural," etc.—are not regulated by any agency and have no established standards. Click here for a complete list of sustainable food terms, labels and definitions.
	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. Changing your food choices with the seasons is the key to supporting sustainable farming and making the most of those trips to the local farmers' market. Benefits abound when you don't eat fresh corn in June but have asparagus instead. For instance, purchasing local foods in-season eliminates the environmental damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles and allows your food dollar to go directly to the farmer. Your family will enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh unprocessed fruits and vegetables. Buying seasonal produce also provides an exciting opportunity to try new foods and to experiment with seasonal recipes. And it simply tastes better! Click here to find a farmers' market near you. For a guide to seasonal produce availability in your area, click on Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware.
	Compare Apples to Apples The Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce is a handy wallet card that lists the 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables that are consistently the most contaminated with pesticides. It also lists the 12 fruits and vegetables that always have low levels of pesticides. The beauty of this wallet card is that it isn't telling you to stop eating those fruits and vegetables that are most often contaminated. It is merely suggesting that you buy them from the organic foods section of your grocery store in order to avoid the toxic effects of prolonged exposure to pesticides. Buying organic supports sustainable farming. Foods labeled USDA certified-organic, no matter where you purchase them, are grown without the use of pesticides. Pesticide-free farming also benefits wildlife because it doesn't generate chemical run-off that pollutes habitat and waterways needed for their survival.
	Partner with a Farm Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and indulge yourself in sustainable foods without ever going to the market. Many farms offer CSA programs that are helpful in developing mutually beneficial partnerships between farmers and consumers. By paying for a share of a farmer's crop before it's even planted, CSA members provide essential funds to cover the costs of the growing season. This pre-paid demand for farmers' goods also makes sustainable farming practices cost-effective because it guarantees an income even if a season's yield is poor. As a result, for a low price, CSA members enjoy a rich assortment of fresh, high quality local fruits, vegetables and other farm products year round. Click here for more information on CSA and how to find a program near you.
	Start a Farm-to-School Program Does your child's school lunch program make the grade? Don't let healthy eating habits be compromised by non-nutritious cafeteria food selections. Children are more susceptible to toxic substances in their environment because they eat, drink and breathe three times as much as adults, pound for pound. But there is little research into the long-term health effects experienced by children who are exposed to toxic chemicals in foods. While many schools are working to address food-related health issues in their lunch programs, there is still much to be done. Take the first step by approaching your child's school about incorporating sustainable foods into their lunch menus. Suggest they start with one or two items. Work to have milk from a local dairy served, along with the usual dairy products. Have one or two vegetables sourced from farms nearby. The fresh flavors of locally grown food will speak for themselves and your children will reap the benefits of sustainable food choices. Click here to find out how to start a farm to school program.

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