We should do more to support our local food providers.

Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Jen Anonia and Harry Battson For The Register-Guard

At Thanksgiving, we celebrate the food we eat. The cornucopia on our dining tables is the unifying force that brings family and friends from hundreds of miles away to partake of the delectable feast.

But unlike our pioneer ancestors who relied on their own crops and livestock, most Americans today see food as mere commodities, without any personal connection more compelling than patrolling the aisles of the supermarket.

Were the mashed potatoes from Maine or Idaho? The pumpkin from Oregon or Michigan? The turkey from a farm outside Eugene or from Plymouth, Mass.? We don't know, but we should care - because local is better, for you and for the community.

The exquisite taste of fresh vegetables, fruit and locally processed meat is a reward for buying local products. How many of us savor memories of biting into a fresh, hand-picked tomato or the tart crispness of a freshly plucked apple? Does food that travels an average of 1,500 miles by truck retain that same freshness, that taste? No way.

There are community and social benefits as well. Purchasing local food products requires less fuel for transportation. The local economy benefits from agricultural jobs and the purchases that agricultural workers and firms make in other sectors of the economy.

Lane County ranks third among Oregon counties in peppermint production, fourth in wine grape production and fifth in hazelnut trees. Agricultural production in Lane County includes orchard fruits and berries, vegetables, dairy products and meats.

The Lane County Farmers Market in Eugene grossed $1.27 million in 2002 by marketing this local cornucopia to consumers.

Unfortunately, not all the news is positive. Over the past five years, the closure of several regional food processing plants has left area food growers with few options for selling their produce. Small farms struggle with high labor costs and stiff out-of-state and foreign competition.

The farmer's share of the food dollar has slipped from 37 cents in 1980 to less than 19 cents today, making farmers twice as likely to live in poverty as the general population and resulting in a 20 percent decrease in the number of Lane County acres in crop production between 1989 and 1999.

Even worse, only 2 percent of America's children meet all the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid. Incredibly, one of every three Lane County children is at risk of hunger!

As we celebrate this annual food holiday, how does this affect you? What can you do about it?

First, food affects all of us, every day. Educate yourself. Notice where the food you buy comes from. Notice opportunities to buy local products. Frequent the farmers' markets and small farm stands. Consider joining a ``community supported agriculture'' farm to enjoy weekly packages of locally grown products. Ask your grocer whether the store carries locally grown produce, cheeses or meats.

Visit restaurants that feature local products. Advocate for your children's schools to offer locally grown and nutritious food in their cafeterias. Learn about eating seasonally, and invite family and friends over for dinners that feature locally grown foods.

Second, get involved in strengthening our food system. The Lane County Food Coalition, a nonprofit organization committed to advocacy and action on local food, farming and sustainable agriculture issues, believes that a strong local food system is integral to the health of our entire community.

The food coalition currently has several initiatives to help produce and market diverse foods and to encourage sustainable agriculture and environmental practices:

A ``Buy Local, Buy Lane'' campaign launched last year to make consumers aware of the many products grown and marketed locally. The food coalition produced a Lane County Food Directory as part of the campaign; a second edition will appear this spring.

Working with FOOD for Lane County and other partners to develop a Food Policy Council in Lane County. The council would recommend policies and take action to create a strong local food system, including supporting local farmers and ensuring access for all to nutritious, appropriate foods.

Conducting research and assessing the local food system. Current food coalition research projects are examining the paths food travels to reach Lane County consumers, the roles of farmers, wholesalers and retailers in distributing food, and ways to increase the production and availability of locally grown foods.

By all means, enjoy the holiday season and the food with which we all celebrate.

But when you've finished that last piece of cranberry pudding or pumpkin pie, learn what you can do to improve our local food system and our community.

Jen Anonia is vice president of the Lane County Food Coalition (www.lanefood.org). Harry Battson is the coalition's executive director.