What's a locavore you ask? Well, it's not a word that you will find in the dictionary but a Google search would inform you that it's a fast-growing trend for health-conscious and earth-friendly folk centered around the simple concept of eating locally grown and harvested foods. And by local we mean within a 100-mile radius of where you live.

Why is that green? Well, think about the ridiculousness of lettuce being shipped in a gas guzzling, emissions emanating big rig truck, traveling 1,500 miles (average distance food in the U.S. travels before it makes it to our tables!) to sit on the supermarket shelves when that very ingredient could be grown and sold locally. Buy local and the food stays off the road, and both you and the environment benefit from the freshness. It's more energy efficient and the food tastes better. And it's a good way to support your local farmers and producers.

The concept originated in San Francisco (www.locavores.com) with a campaign, called "Celebrate Your Foodshed: Eat Locally," designed both to raise awareness about sustainable agriculture and to reconnect people with the farmers and farms that produce their food.

Visit www.santabarbarafresh.com for listings of Santa Barbara Farmers' Markets, fish markets, farm tours and more.

Learn how to eat like a locavore on a guided culinary tour led by Slow Foodie and local culinary expert Laurence Hauben:   805.259.7229 or www.marketforays.com