From fad diets to herbal supplements, healthy eating can seem like a complicated chore these days. But eating well doesn’t require a degree in biochemistry. Fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat, cheese and other foods grown by farmers across southern Wisconsin are simple ingredients in a healthy diet.

The 2004 Farm Fresh Atlas is, literally, a road map to great-tasting, nutritious food grown close to home. The Atlas includes more than 100 farms, farmers’ markets and food-related businesses that sell fresh, locally-grown food directly to customers in southern Wisconsin.

All of the farms and businesses listed in the Atlas pledge to protect our land and water resources, treat animals with care and respect, and provide safe working conditions for their employees. Most of the farms welcome visitors.

“When you buy food directly from a farmer, you can learn first-hand how it was grown, harvested and processed,” said farmer Judy Hageman. “This information can help you make healthy food choices.” Hageman is a member of the steering committee that created the 2004 Atlas.

Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz endorsed the Farm Fresh Atlas as part of his Fit City Madison initiative. “Eating locally grown food is a healthy lifestyle choice that can help make Madison a fit city,” he said. “I encourage everyone to pick up a copy of the Farm Fresh Atlas and enjoy the food offered by these farms and businesses.”

Beginning April 24, the Dane County Farmers’ Market will have the Atlas available on Saturdays at their information booth at the top of State Street. It will also be available at other farmers” markets, public libraries, farms, food co-ops and area businesses after the 24th. For a list of distribution sites, go to www.reapfoodgroup.org.

The Farm Fresh Atlas is a collaborative project of REAP Food Group, the Dane County Farmers’ Market, the UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and the Friends of the Dane County Farmers’ Market.

Now in its third year, the Farm Fresh Atlas has grown increasingly popular with both consumers and farmers. A Farm Fresh Atlas Northeast is being created to serve farmers, businesses and their customers in the Green Bay area.

If you are interested in distributing copies of the Atlas, or if you would like more information about this resource, contact Cris Carusi at (608) 262-8018 or cecarusi@wisc.edu.

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Madison mayor Dave Cieslewicz is scheduled to distribute atlases at the Dane County Farmers” Market information booth from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Saturday, May 1.