Do you know where your food comes from? How far did that tomato have to travel to get to your plate? Where was that lettuce grown? Was the meat on your plate raised humanely? Now more than ever it is important to know the answers to these questions.
Seems like every time you turn on the news there is some recall on the food we eat. Listera in the cantaloupes and cilantro, Cyclosporiasis from salad greens, plastic particles in ground beef, E. coli in beef. I could go on, but honestly, I'm feeling a little sick to my stomach.
The fewer steps there are between your foods source and your table the less chance there is for contamination. Know your farmer, know your food. Supporting your local food economy has many other benefits as well. Here are 5 reasons to find and buy local food:
Seems like every time you turn on the news there is some recall on the food we eat. Listera in the cantaloupes and cilantro, Cyclosporiasis from salad greens, plastic particles in ground beef, E. coli in beef. I could go on, but honestly, I'm feeling a little sick to my stomach.
The fewer steps there are between your foods source and your table the less chance there is for contamination. Know your farmer, know your food. Supporting your local food economy has many other benefits as well. Here are 5 reasons to find and buy local food:
Local foods stimulates your local economy:
Your food dollars stay within your local area and more of the money you spend on food actually reaches the farmer who grew it.
Buying local creates community:
What a treat it is to visit the farmers market each week and begin to get to know the farmers and their family members by name. You are re-creating the past traditions of connections between grower and eater. Your food has a story, a legacy that you are now a part of.
Local food tastes better:
Have you noticed how bland a grocery store tomato is? Local foods are at peak freshness when they get to you, rather than being trucked in from who knows where. Freshness not only impacts the taste but also the nutritional benefits of the food.
Local food keeps us in touch with the seasons:
Eating with the seasons allows us to eat quality produce at peak freshness at minimal cost. It allows you to experience a variety of nutrient dense produce throughout the year.
Local food is better for the environment:
A well managed farm is like a tiny eco-system. Cover crops are planted and soil is amended to replace lost nutrients, fields and pastures provide habitat for local wildlife, carbon emissions for processing and delivery are not required.
Seek out local food & vote with your fork.
Links to find local food in your area
If you are in eastern North Carolina check out The Crystal Coast Homegrown Food Network group on Facebook. The Crystal Coast Homegrown Food Network connects farmers to families in the Jacksonville & surrounding areas along the crystal coast of NC. We keep an updated directory of local food growers with contact information so consumers can find fresh, local produce, meats, eggs & honey. The group also serves as a discussion forum for those who are interested or currently raising/growing their own food.
Until next time friends,
Shared with our friends at: From the Farm Blog Hop
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Love, love, love! and not just because we are farmers!
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