Green Living – Eat Local Foods
I know this isn’t a new idea by any means. However, I’ve had quite a few people asking WHY it makes such a difference or if it really does.
So, let’s start with an obvious reason. I can personally vouch for the fact that local ingredients taste so much better (and fresher) than the out-of-season produce and foods processed so much that you aren’t even sure what’s in them!
The average food item travels about 1,500 miles before it arrives on your plate! When you buy locally produced food (from a farm stand, farmers’ market or a store that stocks local produce), it travels an average of 50 miles. The farther the produce travels, the longer the time span from when the produce was picked to when you eat it. Besides losing the fresh taste, produce actually loses nutritional value over time meaning it is less healthy. Lettuce loses about 50 percent of its vitamin C within 24 hours of being picked and about 50 percent of its flavanols (those cancer and heart-disease fighting things) if it’s en route for a week.
In addition to the health value of local foods, purchasing local foods supports the local economy and small farmers!
Luckily, when you visit South Walton, you do have a few options! Every Saturday, there is a farmer’s market in Seaside from 8 am to 1 pm.
In Blue Mountain Beach, visit For the Health of it and pick up a delicious smoothie while you’re shopping!
Want your produce delivered to you while you’re here? Contact Off the Vine to schedule a delivery (or pick up at one of their locations). Each week offers a different assortment of produce depending on what is in season! In addition to fruits and vegetables, they offer a nice selection of organic dry goods and sustainable meats.
Being aware that local is the best for you, the environment, and your local economy will probably make you look for it more. I aim for at least one local food in my diet each day. In the summer, it’s much easier which is why I increase my minimum daily goal! And, you’ll be surprised how much easier it really is to meet this goal once you start asking about what options are available. Plus, the more you request it where you shop, the more readily available local foods will become!
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