M-town eats fresh

This story wraps up several of my interests. It involves my favorite first couple of Arkansas, my home town and environmentally beneficial practices. Thursday, the Wal-Mart Super Center in Maumelle was the backdrop for an announcment that the mega store would start purchasing more locally grown produce which will be clearly labeled for consumers. This is an initiative that they will be implementing around the country.

While I certainly have a gripe with Wal-Mart right now regarding recent stories that have come out, I think this is incredibly important. When Wal-Mart makes a move like this, other stores tend to replicate. Not only will people be able to support local farmers, receive better quality produce, they will dramatically reduce the damage done to the environment due to transportation of out of state products. According to the article, the average meal travels 1,500 miles to the consumer's dinner table. This will help.

While the gas prices are immediately stretching people's pocket books, the increased transportation costs are forcing companies and individuals to change their habits in ways that will ultimately be better for the environment, make for better lifestyle choices and eventually bring food prices back down.

Emily should be a fan of this move.