Eating locally can be challenging, especially here in the Northeast where the growing season is so limited. But now that the frosts are over until the fall (fingers crossed), Farmer's Markets, farm stands, and local produce at grocery stores is much easier to find.
The majority of our produce comes from California, and has to travel a very long way to get here. That trip uses lots of energy in transportation. The trip also takes quite a while, so many foods are picked before they are ripe, and ripened along the way. Food from out west is often grown on land that is used for the same crop each year, which can strip the soil of nutrients. Buying locally helps to combat these issues.
Buying food closer to home helps to reduce the carbon footprint, keep money in our local community, and improve nutrient content and flavor. Food grown locally is harvested closer to when it will be sold and spends more time maturing and ripening in the ground, or on the vine, respectively. This gives the plant more time to gather nutrients from the soil and convert them with the suns energy into nutrients that help nourish our bodies. Farmer's Markets and farm stands are a fun way to teach kids about where their food comes from, and helps develop strong community bonds.
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Check out this link to find a Farmer's Market near you!
