Top 4 Reasons To Go Local

The aptly named “Jollie” organic heirloom tomatoes

Alas, summer will be gone in a week and that means I will soon be saying “farewell” to my local farmer’s markets.  No more cheap, delicious food to satisfy my tummy, taste buds, and wallet.

But I can’t complain too much, as this year has presented quite a bounty.  I’ve been up to my eyeballs in awesome stone fruits, tasty and juicy melons, and the most delicious heirloom tomatoes ever (pictured above)!

And all of it has been locally grown and most of it organic as well.

So if you haven’t yet visited your farmer’s market, here are 4 reasons why you should go local and make the most of these last few weeks of summer produce.

#1: Taste and Freshness

Plain and simple, local produce tastes better and is ten times fresher than anything you will find in your neighborhood grocery store.  And there’s a good reason for this.

Local farmers do not have to worry about shipping their foods long distances or ensuring a long shelf life.  They only have to focus on great taste and freshness.

Fruits and vegetables from a supermarket have typically been picked about 4-7 days before they actually reach the store.  In addition, these foods have traveled an average of 1500 miles just to get to the warehouse!

#2: Knowing Where Your Food Comes From

What’s better than knowing exactly where your food comes from?  You get to ask the farmer himself (or herself) important questions like where his farm is located, what is the quality of his soil, does he use pesticides, etc.

Make a trip to your local farmer’s market a regular part of your week and you will begin to form long-lasting relationships with your food growers.

This is great for us raw foodists because it often means good deals on bulk buys.

By the way, to find a farmer’s market in your area, go to www.localharvest.org.

#3: Less Waste

Local produce does not have to travel as far, resulting in a substantial reduction in gasoline and packing materials used.

‘Nough said.

#4: Promote and Encourage Healthful Living

You vote with your dollar.

Whenever you pay for a product, you are encouraging the further creation and promotion of that product.  So when you choose to buy locally, you are helping to ensure the continued sale of local goods.  You are providing the local farmers with much-needed resources (i.e. moolah) so that they can continue to run their farms and provide you with delicious local food.

The more people buy locally, the greater chance local farms have of succeeding and the more high-quality produce in your bellies.

So make a pit stop to your local farmer’s market (or go straight to the source) and enjoy these last couple weeks of summer and its fruity goodness!

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze