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As I wandered between the roughly cut buildings in Florence, each brimming with history, I couldn’t help but turn my eyes toward the tiny butcher shop hidden deep in the coves of the alley. I pulled open the heavy door to pop in for lunch and as I finally yanked it open, I felt a bit self conscious as 20 local eyes all turned toward me, a fish out of water.
What drew me to this particular place was that the sandwiches are prepared by the butcher himself right in front of you. This is what makes Italy a place of such envy for Americans who have found new interest in local foods made to order. The idea of a career butcher making my turkey sandwich right in front of me is simply fantastic. When you can find food like this, why would you ever head to McDonald's for lunch or Starbucks for your morning latte? These international chains use tons of fossil fuels to deliver their products all over the world.
In my time in Florence, I learned more about the Italian culture in this tiny neighborhood deli than I ever could have crowding my days with a thousand different museum visit. When I return to Florence, I will most certainly find myself speaking broken Italian to my favorite butcher once again.
So when you're traveling eat local fare that hasn't used a ton of fossil fuels to get to you. It's often grown and produced with care and doesn't come loaded with chemicals and pesticides. Hit the farmers' markets in town and see the food that's in season and unique to the area that you're visiting.
Read more about finding green food:
Find Dinner at the Farmers' Market : Garlic Tomato Sauce
How to Go Green: Wine
How to Eat a Waste-Free Lunch
4 Reuses for Stale Bread
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