Hans Martin of Loma Linda grows vegetables at the city community garden mostly as a hobby.  Marge Flathers of Highland shops for fresh produce at the Loma Linda Farmers Market for her health.       

Now both can add lower food bills to the benefits they receive as consumers of locally-grown food.  Rising fuel prices have been pushing up grocery prices to record levels making locally grown food a less expensive alternative.

"Already the vegetables in the supermarket are practically unaffordable," said Martin, a retiree who estimates that he saves $25 a week for his family by growing squash, zucchini, Swiss chard, beets, tomatoes and lettuce at the community garden. His gardening costs are minimal. The water is supplied by the city for free. Eight foot by 12 foot plots rent for $20 a year.

The fresher food at farmers markets can be more expensive than trucked-in produce at grocery stores, especially when compared to supermarket sale items. But on a recent Sunday,  Flathers noticed lower prices on fruits and vegetables at the farmers' market.  Cartons of strawberries were selling for three for $5.  "I don't think the prices would be that low in the supermarket," Flathers said.  She also found bargains  on lettuce, carrots, celery and radishes and the produce was picked fresh that morning or the day before.  

Consumers nationwide are experiencing the highest inflation for food prices since the early 1990s. Last year, food prices rose by four percent and the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts they'll increase by as much as 4.5 percent in 2008.   

For more information, visit the City of Loma Linda website or contact Joanne Heilman at (909) 799-2810.