Eating locally grown foods has many benefits for your health, the environment and your community. On your next shopping venture, look at where your fruit and vegetables come from. You may be surprised to find the produce on your local grocery shelf may have traveled further than you have in your entire lifetime!
Eating fresh foods is better for your health because, with time, produce can lose important nutrients. When you purchase food from a local farm it may have been harvested within the last 1 or 2 days. Food shipped in may have taken a week or more thereby losing many nutrients along the way. Shopping at the farmers' market is the best way to buy local foods. You can enjoy fresh foods and connect with the people that grow the produce. Ask the farmer when the food was picked and where his farm is located.
Buying locally produced food is also better for the environment. When you purchase foods with less shipping distance you reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. This ultimately reduces one of the causes of climate change. The average distance fruits and vegetables produced in the U.S. travel to reach your plate is approximately 1500 miles. This number would be much higher if you include produce shipped in from across the globe. Make an effort to buy products grown within your state to reduce your impact on the earth.
Supporting local farmers benefits your community as well. By supporting the maintenance of local farm lands, you preserve the natural landscape near your home instead of losing land to development. A well managed farm maintains good soil conditions, supports preservation of wildlife and gives your children a place to learn about natural food production.
Take time this summer to enjoy the bounty of the season. Buy local produce at the market or your local grocery store. Be sure to read labels and make the choice to buy seasonal produce from your area. Enjoy fruits and veggies the way nature intended, fresh, colorful and flavorful!
Check out www.localharvest.org to locate a market in your community.
