10/19/2023
If you follow me on the gram, then you are no stranger to my recent rambles about eating local, but whether you’ve heard me say it before or not, I am here to say it again.
Eat Local.
It was such a blessing to return from a trip and feel such gratitude for living where I do. The first order of business upon returning home was of course - grocery shopping, well after catching up on sleep, of course.
I hit up Stop & Shop for a couple of items - the almond milk yogurt my son likes, and a big bottle of kombucha. Honestly, outside of a couple of staples I grabbed at Costco (my usual organic blueberries, avocados, bananas, frozen mango, to name a few) I was beyond happy that almost all of the other food I needed, I could buy locally. Not everyone (in fact most don’t!) has this option, and even I take it for granted sometimes.
But I get it - it’s not that easy. It takes a lot of time to shop at different stores, let alone just squeezing in the one shopping trip, so of course, that’s what I am trying to do! I want to be your one stop shop for as much local produce, meat, and whatever else I can get for you. No need to think, shop, prep, cook, clean. Just order and I deliver (and I do! So be sure to ask me about that!).
But just in case you needed more convincing, here are a few reasons it’s important to eat local!
IT TASTES BETTER!!! If you are from the North Fork, then you already know - the difference between store-bought summer corn on the cob vs. locally, grown corn, no contest. But in general, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and even meats and cheeses are not only fresher, they actually contain more nutrients than foods that have been stored and shipped.
SAVE THE WORLD! I know this sounds a little dramatic, but it’s true. Just like us, the earth has a microbiome. But our soil has been damaged by industrial farming practices and as a result the microbiome of the soil we eat food grown in needs help! Support small local farms with farming practices based in principles of Regenerative Agriculture.
LIVE LONGER! Supporting your local farmers means strengthening your relationship with your community. Did you know that one of the factors that contribute to being a centenerian is social connection and community? Get out there and support your local farmer!
FOOD SAFETY! The fewer processes between the source of your food and your plate, the less the chance of contamination. Plus, small farmdon’t have huge companies to hide behind when something goes wrong. Their product is their business and they will work to put out the best product they can because that’s all they have!
SEASONAL MEANS LESS CHEMICALS! Did you know that when produce is grown out of season, out of its natural environment, it requires the use of chemicals to help it grow “correctly”. But when food grows in it’s natural environment, it doesn’t need much help at all. Mother Nature has it down. By eating local food, you can eat seasonally, increasing the chances that your food was raised by sun and water, versus chemicals and artificial light.
I could keep going, really drilling it into you, but I will save more reasons for another time.