As an additional to my earlier post about Jenny Kurzweil's "Fields That Dream," here are some facts about local foods and farmers' markets from her book:

• In a recent survey, 19,000 farmers reported selling their produce only at farmers' markets.
• Shoppers spent $584.6 billion for food produced in the United States in 1998, with farmers earning only a 20 percent share of the food dollar.

And a quote from the epilogue of "Fields that Dream:"

We, the consumers, are essential in supporting [local] farmers and markets. We can truly be part of the movement that supports sustainable and locally grown food. In a world where we often feel helpless and overwhelmed, remember that ultimately, we hold the power, for in a market economy it is the consumers who have the final say. As the Chef's Collaborative from Boston proclaims, "Vote with your fork for a sustainable future."