November 27, 2008 Family serves up local meal on Thanksgiving Play video

(Anya Huneke, NECN) - Now more than ever- the push to buy and eat local is gaining momentum... With many worried about the environment and the economy.

One Vermont family is doing thanksgiving this year "local style"- saying there's really no good reason to do it any other way.

This Thanksgiving.. The Wolavers - of Richmond, Vermont - are sticking to a theme.

"This is as close to a carbon neutral turkey as possible..."

Their turkey came from New Haven, Vermont... Their potatoes- from nearby Starksboro...

Onions and carrots- from Shoreham... Butter- from Cabot... And cranberries from Fletcher.

Other than the twine to tie the turkey Everything's from Vermont this year.

Melissa says shopping for this all-local meal was less purposeful than it was natural.

Melissa "I couldn't imagine going to the store and buying whatever turkey and whatever vegetables that I didn't know where they came from- that'd be odd for me."

This is the way the family tries to eat every day- And thanksgiving, they say, is no exception.

Morgan "You're not going to get any fresher- you know how fresh it is."

Morgan says eating local produce and meat has always appealed to him...

Morgan "You know how they raise the animals, what goes into it- it's certainly a huge level of comfort."

But in recent years, he says, it's become easier and cheaper-- A trend driven, in part, by a so-called 'Localvore' movement gaining

Meg "We've seen a total increased interest in eating local... as well as from farmers rising to the challenge of meeting that demand."

Meg Klepack of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont says C.S.A.s are becoming increasingly popular... And farmers markets are no longer seasonal events.

Meg "Statewide we have 11 winter farmers markets all winter long- that's almost double the number we had last year."

"The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is encouraging Vermonters to buy local this holiday season- not just for the environmental but also economic benefits. Keeping money in Vermont, officials say, will help the state weather the economic slowdown."

The Wolavers are trying to do their part... And they say it doesn't require much extra effort.

Emily "It sort of just comes naturally- you go to the store and get what's local."

And they leave knowing there are many who are thankful they did.