Now there’s even more reason to visit that local farmer’s market – it can help fix our economy.

A recent study by UGA’s Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development shows that if each Georgia household spent $10 weekly buying local food, nearly $2 billion would flow back into the state’s economy.

Still, many people do not have access to a farmer’s market, and some who do cannot afford it. That could change if Atlanta’s mayor has anything to do with it.

A recent AJC article says that Mayor Kasim Reed has made local food part of his sustainability plan, hoping to “bring local food within 10 minutes of 75% of all residents by 2020.” And the master plan for the BeltLine — a 22-mile ring of trails, greenspace and light transit that’s slowly becoming reality — now includes space for farms and community gardens.

Yet the study also notes Georgians eat less locally grown food than the national average, and most of our produce is still shipped out of state. Georgia Organics, for example, points out that we eat more than 285 million pounds of lettuce – an average of 30 pounds per Georgian – yet the state grows less than 245,000 pounds of lettuce per year. If all the lettuce we eat were actually grown within state lines, Georgia could generate an additional $12.8 million in direct revenue. And that’s just lettuce folks.

In all, Georgia is losing out on more than $780 million in revenue.

How to help? Get thee to a farmer’s market! Not only are you buying the freshest and tastiest food around, but you’re also helping to encourage more local farms and a larger variety of produce.

Like you need an excuse to eat those strawberries.

In Atlanta, just over the past few months, we’ve seen some good ones go. Shaun’s, Dynamic Dish, and Noon Midtown, just to name a few. And institutions like Everybody’s Pizza in Virginia-Highlands and Vickery’s in Midtown are no more.

The economy is to blame in one way or another. Shaun Doty closed his eponymous restaurant to focus on his more casual (and cheaper) Yeah! Burger concept, and David Sweeney’s nationally revered vegetarian spot just couldn’t pull in enough business to sustain itself. Luckily, David has joined Linton and Gina Hopkin’s gang over at Restaurant Eugene as production chef and farmer liaison, a perfect fit.

And although 2010 was a dismal year for restaurant openings, there’s been some promising signs on the horizon. I’ve heard rumors that Kevin Gillespie’s long-awaited BBQ place may be opening in Reynoldstown this year, and Peter Chang has opened up his own restaurant in Powder Springs (he promises he’s staying put this time, but we’ll see). Ford Fry is working on a new Italian/Mediterranean concept in downtown Decatur, and Richard Blais is tweaking his new concept to open in the old San Francisco Coffee spot in Poncey-Highland.

So 2011 looks promising, but that’s only part of the story. Atlanta’s dining scene is like a kid who just went through a growth spurt. It’s in transition, shaking out of its old clothes and fitting into a new wardrobe. But it’s still not quite sure what looks good on it yet. It’s still growing up. I’m interested to see what, in a few years time, it grows up to be.

Photos: Muvbox

Food trucks and tweetcarts are popping up everywhere across the country, and some are taking the mobile restaurant concept further. In LA, the first Bustaurant opened, and now the Muvbox gives you the option of closing up shop and shipping your restaurant to another city.

The customizable concept is self-contained in a 12,000-lb. solar-powered shipping container that includes four solar panels, recycled tire floors, 11 tables, a woodstone hearth oven, a refrigerator and a sound system.

The first Muvbox restaurant just opened in Montreal serving lobster rolls. Road trip!

I just bought a huge watermelon while I was in Tennessee from a stand selling produce from a local Amish farm. I didn’t even buy the biggest variety there, but settled on the middle-sized one, a Jubilee.

I let it sit on the counter for a day or two to get extra juicy, then cut off all the rind and chopped it up. It was WAY too much to eat just on its own so I got creative. If you’ve got a lot of watermelon on hand this summer, try one of these recipes – I made a batch of each of them and STILL have watermelon left over.

Basil-Infused Watermelon Lemonade

Watermelon Margaritas

Watermelon-Basil-Mint Sorbet

Slushy Watermelon Mojitos

Yesterday I listed the Dirty Dozen – 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest levels of pesticide residue. But there are some items that you can save your money on and buy non-organic. Most of these “Clean 15” have tough outer layers that are either usually not eaten or that provide a barrier against pesticide contamination.

The Clean 15

• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Cabbage
• Cantaloupe
• Eggplant
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi fruit
• Mango
• Onions
• Pineapples
• Sweet corn
• Sweet onions
• Sweet peas
• Sweet potatoes
• Watermelon

A new report from the Environmental Working Group reveals that you may be ingesting more pesticides than you think when eating non-organic foods.

The Dirty Dozen, a list of the worst produce offenders, have anywhere from 47 to 67 types of pesticides a serving. Blech.

Buying organic can be costly, though, so focus your money on buying organic versions of these 12 items, many of which have soft skin that absorbs the chemicals and that we eat right along with the produce.

The Dirty Dozen