Food for Thought (2/25/16)

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of the Lord.”

I am a firm believer in organics and buying locally grown produce and meat. I worked on an organic farm in New City, NY my senior year of high school. I learned a lot from that experience, but the most important things I learned are the following, 1) Local foods are healthier and stimulate the local economy. 2) Local farm staff know their employees and their customers. 3) Local food tastes better!

This picture was taken after working on the farm during a thunderstorm, I was a little wet!

This is me, Kate! This picture was taken after working on the farm during a thunderstorm, I was a little wet!

The University of Vermont put out 10 reasons people should purchase produce from local farms instead of grocery stores. Here are what I believe to be the top 5 reasons.

1)  Locally grown food tastes and looks better. The crops are picked at their prime and sold at their most flavorful time.

2) Local food is better for you. The shorter the time between harvest and your table, the less likely it is that nutrients will be lost from fresh food. Food imported from far away is older and has lost a lot of nutrients.

3) Local food preserves genetic diversity. The modern agricultural system utilizes a monoculture system. Smaller local farms often grow many different varieties of crops to provide a long harvest season, and many colors and flavors.

4) Local food is safe. There’s something special about looking a farmer in the eye or driving by the fields. Local farmers aren’t anonymous and they take their responsibility to the consumer seriously.

5) Local food supports local families. Local farmers that sell directly to consumers and cut out the grocery store middleman get full retail price for their food.

Today’s food for thought…

Where is your closest farmer’s market? Farmer’s markets will be up and running again soon, if you have never been to one, I challenge you to go!

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