Why buy your produce locally?

When my husband and I got married, one thing we learned that was a priority value in our lives was our health. Luckily, there is a huge farmer's market 2 miles from our place that is open twice a week (Tuesdays & Saturdays). At first, we went there just to get free samples and walk around, but after awhile it became our go-to place to buy our groceries. (We still make frequent stops to our local Trader Joe's for milk and other things.) So, the question we asked ourselves was "Why buy our produce locally when we can just go to our friendly neighborhood grocer?" and "Are there actual benefits?"

Here are "5 Reasons to Buy Local Produce:"

1.  Local food tastes better.
I never would've known the difference until I continued to sample different fruits every week. Fruits and vegetables that are sold at your local farmer's markets are picked within the last couple days unlike those at your local grocery stores. (Most produce in the US is picked 4 to 7 days before being placed on supermarket shelves and is travels an average of 1500 miles before being sold.) *source

2. Local food is more nutritious.
Once a fruit is harvested, it quickly begins to lose nutrients. Since local produce is sold right after it is picked, it retains more of the nutrients that would have otherwise been lost during the traveling period (before it is shelved).

3. Local food preserves genetic diversity & is more eco-friendly.
A small number of hybrid fruits and vegetables are produced in large commercial farms in order to withstand the rigors of harvesting, packing, shipping, and storage. On the contrary, small family farms grow a large variety of fruits and such that provide loads of flavor amidst our ever changing climate. Also, buying from local farms conserves the energy that might have been used during transport.

4. Local food keeps taxes in check.
For every $1 in revenue raised by residential development, governments spend $1.17 on services, which increases taxes. Not to mention that only $.18 of every dollar goes to the farmer, while the other $.82 cents goes to unnecessary middlemen. *source

5. Local food is about the future.
Buying and supporting our local farms ensures that our children and grandchildren will have access to nourishing, flavorful foods.

To find a Farmer's Market near you, go to this website and enter your zip code.