Your local farmer's market is a great place to buy produce.
We understand that it is important for our health to choose organic products. This week, we will discover the importance of buying locally grown produce. By choosing to buy locally grown products, we are helping the environment by reducing pollution, while also supporting local farmers.
A majority of produce in the U.S. is transported from different states and even different countries before it gets to your dinner table. Produce on average is shipped 1500 miles (wow!) in the United States before reaching the store. For example, according to http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/pubs/staff/files/food_travel072103.pdf , "Fresh produce arriving by truck at the Chicago Terminal Market from within the continental United States traveled an average one-way distance of 1,518 miles in 1998, a 22 percent increase over the 1,245 miles traveled in 1981." We can only imagine that produce shipped from other countries travels even further distances. By shopping locally, you reduce the emission of green house gases that would be used to ship the produce. Also, you are supporting local farmers who are unable to produce mass quantities to supply to the larger grocery stores.
Local farmers and farmer's markets are going to benefit if individuals choose to shop what's grown locally. Why not make the change this week? Most cities have a local farmer's market. Look up yours online and visit it this week. It is going to benefit farmers and the environment!
Remember! Farmer's markets have all sorts of goodies besides produce, so take advantage!
No comments:
Post a Comment