The growing season is longer. It's easier to grow things here. The environment is clean relative to other areas. McKean says she was also impressed that so many Pacific Northwest food producers are serious about environmental stewardship. They take pride in raising foods that are healthy as well as delicious, and in protecting the earth.
Small producers can exercise more control over quality.
Yet at the same time, they introduce delectable differences in the flavor of the foods they produce, notes Skott. When three people grow tomatoes, all are different. Commercially grown tomatoes are all the same. Nor should such foods necessarily be regarded as luxury items, McKean insists. Because of the care taken with them, they may be more expensive than mass-produced foods.