Why Buy Local? How Fresh Food from Area Growers Is Better - Especially Now!

The majority of food we eat comes from the hard-working, dedicated and often-unappreciated farm families all across our country. Choosing to spend with them right in our own counties and states has perhaps never been more important than right now as we've seen the weakness in our food system over the last few months. We've likely all experienced standing in long lines at the grocery store, frustrated by lack of products, and there's a sense of worry felt around the world at the bare shelves so many of us have noticed. Why not shift more of our spending to the real heroes of America and support local growers and farmers?

Now is the perfect time of year to stop at area growers for fresh vegetables and fruits, dairy products, eggs, meats and more. This couldn't come at a better time for us to begin incorporating local actions into our daily lives as farmers markets and produce stands begin to open for the season. Despite the restrictions and limitations on public gatherings, we could collectively make better choices this year, which in turn helps to keep more money in our own communities.


Why not make this summer a time to educate your kids about local food? There is so much which can be learned about the journey of produce, starting with how fields are cultivated and crops raised, to the kitchen where young folks can develop a sense of understanding about what goes into raising the delicious meals on our tables. By skipping the grocery store whenever possible, children can appreciate and respect family farms and value better choices as well. Parents can seek out area businesses which are active in agriculture partnerships with local growers and who feature such items as a highlight of their menus. Why not incorporate education into experiences such as daily trips to buy eggs or a weekend drive to a pick-your-own farm? Make such visits meaningful for the entire family by choosing destination where valuable lessons can be learned.


I've included some graphics below which may be helpful to download, but of course you can also Google such resources tailored for your state or county. Help spread the message to friends and family by sharing and re-posting such images on your social media channels to remind and educate others as well! To download, click on any image to open a large version in a new window and then save to your device.

 

• Check out this blog post Why To Support Local Family Farmers

• Local Harvest offers a huge database of farms, growers and local food sources, making it a great site for finding businesses close to home.

• Find education resources and images available to download at Small Farm Nation

I hope you are inspired to explore and search out some new and delicious options where you live. From ice cream made at a local dairy farm to savory salad creations, freshly picked fruits to enjoy now or veggies to preserve for the winter months, connections with real food are invaluable experiences for all ages. Celebrate and enjoy the love of local this summer while knowing you are spending wisely too!

community advocate • marketing consultant • voice for small business
classic car lover • salt life • believer that "together we accomplish more"