Maybe I’m biased, but supporting local farmers is something I’m passionate about. When you support local farmers and shop at farmers’ markets, you are helping them make a living. In turn, they continue to provide healthy, wholesome food to families in your community.
Fresh Food
When you buy local, the produce doesn’t have to sit in shipping containers as it travels between provinces or countries. Instead, it’s only a matter of hours from when its plucked from the field to being served at your table. As an added bonus, you’ll skip the chemical washing solutions normally used before shipping.
Environmentally Friendly
Pollution from transportation contributes to poor air quality, packaging contributes to landfill and less produce is thrown out due to transport damages or “imperfections”. There is also far less chance of pesticides on your food because there isn’t the widespread use of crop dusters that you might find on large corporate farm operations. Don’t be afraid of the little bug in your turnip, she just wants supper too! It’s a sign that it’s safe for her to live in, therefore safe for you to eat 😉
Support Local Economy
The money you spend on local produce stays local and helps create jobs. No one farmer can harvest on their own; they need to hire help and look within their community to employ neighbours.
Flow with the Seasons
When you eat locally grown food, you’re eating seasonally, which can spice up your veggie variety and inspire you to try new things. Some traditional medicine philosophies suggest that eating seasonally helps us stay in alignment with our natural environment, thereby strengthening our immune system.
Check out the St. John’s Farmers’ Market on Saturdays 9:00am-4:00pm year round or do a quick search for farms near you, like Roots Farm NL, to see what’s in stock!