Tiny tots gobbling up pancakes drenched in berry syrup. Gray-haired couples scarfing down spicy tofu scramble. A beautiful twenty-something woman daintily tasting her yogurt. James Reismiller passionately explaining the science of solar energy. Mayor Charlie Tomlinson cooking in the kitchen and everyone having a good time.

It all happened at three Buy Local First Breakfasts sponsored by the Corvallis Independent Business Alliance and the First Alternative Co-op. The Corvallis Odd Fellows generously provided their fellowship hall and kitchen. All the food was prepared by volunteers, and many of the ingredients were donated by local firms. The breakfasts were well-attended, with about 180 folks the first time, 298 the second and 263 the third.

The atmosphere was light, but the purpose was serious: to help people think about their purchases and encourage them to buy more locally produced products. How we spend our dollars has an important impact on our local economy. Also, as a nation our buying patterns are directly linked to the threat of global warming.

We do have choices in life: We can worry about global warming and do nothing, or we can decide to do our part by changing a few habits. Looking at what we buy to eat is a good place to start. Much of our food comes to us from around the world. If you buy a greater portion of what you consume from Willamette Valley farmers, you reduce the fuel needed to get edibles to your table.

Luckily, in Corvallis we do have great options.

We can buy terrific local produce at the Saturday Farmers’ Market. We can also add the Wednesday market at the fairgrounds to our weekly routine. Right now there is an abundance of delicious things: fresh tomatoes, yellow squash, new potatoes, homemade salsa. Delightful smells fill the air; the scent of basil, the aroma of burritos wrapped in handmade tortillas, the fragrance of ripe peaches.

Buying fruit from local farmers helps them make a profit, as well as providing tasty treats for your family. You are also reducing the amount of fuel needed to move your groceries from place to place.

If you miss the Saturday market, you can turn to Richey’s Market, where the managers are buying more and more local produce. This week they have local blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, loganberries and collard greens.

Also, every day of the week at the First Alternative you can get a variety of foods produced close by. To help you out they post a “Local 6” logo next to products that come from our surrounding six counties. Astonishingly, there are 1,200 local items on the co-op’s shelves.

Of course, food is not the only area where you can shift to buying local products. The next time you buy a gift for a grandchild, give a wooden toy or puzzle made right here in Corvallis. Buy your mother a potted lily from a local grower. Give the one you love an exquisite piece from one of our local artists.

None of us can alter the course of climate change alone, but we can change our own behavior. By changing one small habit, we can become part of a larger movement to take better care of our world. Besides, fresh summer fruit tastes so good.