According to MedicineNet.com, 2008 may have been the year of ethical eating (Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD/LD/Top 10 Food Trends for 2008/1-17-08), a decided change from the don’t ask don’t tell policy that most people have adopted with the industrial food model. Long gone for most of us are the days where we eat the animals from a neighboring farm, or head into town to trade goods with local merchants. Our food can travel more than a thousand miles before it hits our plates, and as long as it tastes good, we don’t think about what might have gone into it.

It used to be only hippie communes who grew their own food, made deals with local farmers, and raised their own animals. But the average American is re-thinking that judgment. The number of food gardens in the United States is on a steep rise, and, conscious of the health and environmental benefits that have been proven regularly in the past few years, are turning to locally grown fruits and vegetables and whole foods.

Supermarkets now sport produce advertised as local, and even the fast food restaurants  have caught onto the trend of healthy eating. More and more eateries offer choices like organic milk, tasty salad choices, and fruit for their customers. These new active health choices, which were once reserved for senior citizens 15 years ago, are now a new standard. In addition to preserving their financial security for college and retirement, people of all ages are starting to make smart, healthy food choices for themselves and their families. Now considered to be as valuable as good saving and spending habits.