This is one of my favorite times of year. Although I am not partial to the warmer weather, I love the products of warm weather – fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables. Here are some of the reasons that I love the freshness so much:
1. Local produce is cheaper.
2. Local produce is fresher: sometimes food can travel 1500-3000 miles to get to your grocer’s shelf.
3. Buying local produce keeps the air cleaner: trucks that are transporting veggies cross-country can produce up to 3100 pounds of CO2.
4. Utilizing the variety of fresh local produce available during the year enables you and your family the opportunity to eat new foods as the seasons change.
5. Because of all that is available through your local farmer’s market, it is easier to get your 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables. In fact, the CDC has a new website solely dedicated to helping Americans reach their target fruit/veggie consumption. They offer tips for cooking, recipes, health professionals, partner websites, and a fruit of the month.
6. Buying local produce supports your local economy. Your food dollar goes straight to the farmer and provides your locale with the opportunity to support sustainable food. Sustainable agriculture provides security for agricultural families, supports the rural community and offers fair treatment to all involved in the process: growers, workers/laborers, consumers, and animals.
7. Better nutrition: It takes less time for local produce to get to your kitchen; therefore your produce retains more vitamins and minerals. Out of season fruits and veggies shipped from other countries can take up to two weeks to make it to the grocery store.
So, how can we change the way we eat??
1. Start in your own backyard. Find a community garden, or better yet, start one.
2. Take a trip to your local farmer’s market. Click here to find one in your state.
3. Find out what is in season in your region.
4. Take the 100 Mile Diet Challenge – resolve to eat foods grown only within a 100-mile radius of your home.
5. If the above resources seem too much for you, you can always check the Calendar of Best Buys, and that will at least guide you to the freshest, most in-season produce in your regular grocery store.
So, enjoy the next six months or so and let your taste buds do the traveling, not your food.
By Emily on 04/12/07 in Columns, Eating with Emily, Featured, Food, Food, Food Tips, Healthy Cooking, Tools
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June 12th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
emily: i’ve been enjoying your blog recently. come visit my food blog sometime. i’m talking every day about family food and lots of other fun stuff. plus, i’m linked to a pretty cool site that is working to offer all the restaurant menus for every U.S. city online in one spot.
thanks for the great reads!
sheri