How can you create a more eco-friendly Thanksgiving dinner this year without asking your guests to bike to your house in the cold? The easiest and most effective thing you can do is to provide foods that are in season, organic, and from local sources. What exactly are the benefits of eating locally? From supporting the local economy and reducing carbon released during transport, to higher quality products (because of less focus on packaging and food preservation), the benefits are many, some say.

And becoming a local shopper doesn't have to be difficult. Shopping regularly at local farmers’ markets or farm stands can be an enjoyable addition to your shopping routine. Also, locally owned markets, natural-foods stores and co-ops are much more likely – than supermarkets –  to stock local foods. The Local Harvest website provides a comprehensive national directory of farmers’ markets, farm stands and other sources of locally grown food.