Trend is a natural

Everybody thinks about food, and lately more people are thinking about where their food comes from, counting miles instead of calories as they strive to "eat local."

"People want to know where I'm from, how far away my farm is. They want to know how far their food has traveled," said David Purpura, who sells the produce from his Middleborough farm locally. Donna Blishke, who has been growing food for 13 years on her Web of Life farm in Carver, sees the same thing. "People are much more connected to their food," she said.

The "eat local" trend, fueled by health and environmental concerns, is boosting business at farmers markets - there were 135 statewide this year, up from 88 five years ago - and prompting new food-marketing strategies.

Studies by the University of Massachusetts suggest Massachusetts could produce up to 35 percent of its own food, compared with the 12 percent it now produces. Already, Massachusetts farmers make more money selling directly to consumers than do farmers in any other state, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

Customers at area farmers markets - where business peaks this month and next - say the locally grown food is fresher and healthier. They also like that buying local supports the region's farms, which in turn helps preserve open space throughout the region.

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