2011 First-Class Forever Stamp,Go Green: Buy Local Produce, Reuse Bags

U.S. #4524a

A new creature roams the Earth – the “locavores.”  Locavores are human; they are people who eat most of their food from local suppliers.  Their numbers are growing, so much so that the term “locavore” was the Word of the Year in the New Oxford American Dictionary in 2007.  

Locavores focus on produce grown locally.  A general rule of thumb is food grown in a 100-mile radius.  Food produced locally is fresher and often harvested that same morning.  It will not have the preservatives used when shipped over great distances.  Plus, buying food grown locally directly supports the economy of the surrounding region.  Also, many people believe fresh food tastes better.

Local produce can be grown at home, or bought at farmers’ markets and produce stores, where shoppers often use another “green” initiative – reusable shopping bags.  An estimated 500 billion to a trillion plastic shopping bags are used each year.  Every plastic bag takes over 400 years to decompose.

One way to reduce the number of plastic bags is by re-using them, taking them back to the store to use for the next purchase.  Specially made recyclable bags are available.  This can make a trip to the local market a smart decision, as well as another step toward a greener world.

In 2011, the United States Postal Service issued a 16-stamp set commemorating the benefits of living “green.”  The stamps highlight simple ways people can conserve resources in their daily lives.  They also reflect resource-saving practices followed by the Postal Service.