This month our small change is suggesting that you try shopping at your local farmer's market. The benefits of buying your food locally are multi-fold, from helping the local economy and small businesses, to offering your family the freshiest and most seasonal foods available.
So why buy at a Farmer's Market?
1. Local food tastes better. It is fresher and has been ripened in the field rather than in a shipping container.
2. Local food is better for you. The shorter the time between field and table, the fewer the nutrients lost.
3. Local food preserves bio-diversity. Large scale farming uses a limited number of varieties of plants and animals to maximize uniformity and shelf life. Local farms often grow a greater variety of plants and animals that are well suited to local conditions.
4. Local food has a smaller carbon footprint. Buying organic produce may seem like it would be better for the environment but it can actually have a negative impact due to the use of diesel fuels in hauling it long distances. Local farmers and ranchers travel relatively short distances to bring what they grow to you.
5. Local food supports local families. Local farmers sell directly to their customers, cutting out the middleman and enabling them to support themselves by what they grow. It also means that local dollars stay within the community and have three times the impact on the local economy.
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