Four Reasons to Eat Locally

by Koren Barwis, HHC, CPT

The days are long and the weather is hot; summer is in full swing. One of my favorite summer perks is the Farmers' Market. I do my best to “eat locally” whenever possible and Farmers' Markets make it so much easier. While I cringe a little at using such a trendy foodie term like "eat local," eating locally is the best way to go and here’s why:

Quality -- Local food is fresher, tastes better, and is better for you. Locally grown food may have been picked fresh that day, while food that has to be trucked or flown from out of state (or out of country) sits for days or weeks waiting to be sold, losing flavor and nutrients. 

Supports the Local Economy -- The money spent locally stays local. Small farms are struggling and I like knowing my money is going to help a local family, not a huge anonymous corporation.  Plus, there is something really special in meeting the person who grows your food, seeing the accountability and pride they have in their product. 

Minimizes Environmental Impact -- Some of the food at your grocery store has taken longer flights than my 10 year old. Apples from Washington, grapes from Chile, and beef from who knows where. All that travel consumes fossil fuels. Plus, keeping local farms viable maintains open space and agricultural landscapes, as well as habitats for local wildlife.  

Aligns with the Seasons -- Our bodies are incredibly smart. During the cold winter, they crave warm, heavy  comfort foods full of fat and complex carbohydrates to help keep us insulated. Then in Spring, as the weather warms, we are drawn to lighter foods to help shed excess fat and detoxify. Mother Nature swoops in with delicious fresh produce like strawberries and microgreens to help with the task. But in the era of modern supermarkets, we’ve lost touch with that seasonality. We can have asparagus at Thanksgiving and tomatoes at Christmas, which isn't exactly what Mother Nature intended.  When eating locally and in season, the foods available are exactly what we need to support our natural cycles.  

Buy Fresh Buy Local is a great website to keep on top of what is growing locally in Virginia. And be sure to checkout smartphone apps like Locavore and Eat Local.

Don't forget about the Wellness Connection Farmers' Market, every Saturday from 9am - 1pm in the Gum Springs Library parking lot. Stay informed and like our Facebook page for the market.