Fall Harvest Week: Biological Diversity

Fall officially begins with the autumnal equinox on September 22, so this week on the Green Life, we'll explore some of the ways to celebrate the harvest season. 

 Tip #2: Eat Rare Varieties 

According to the Mother Nature Network, more than 2,500 varieties of apples exist in the United States, yet only 100 of them are grown commercially. Support biological diversity by opting for rare varieties. Find out what's in danger of extinction at Slow Food's Ark of Taste, which features a list of "foods that are threatened by industrial standardization, the regulations of large-scale distribution and environmental damage" and get involved with local groups such as the Chicago Rarities Project, which aims to cultivate "community rare-fruit orchards" in reclaimed urban spaces.

Share your tips: What are your favorite rare, local varieties of produce?