Do you know where the apples you munch on were grown? Which pasture did the cows graze on that are providing the steak you are grilling for tonight’s dinner?
An increasingly popular trend is emerging. “Eat Local”, “Farm to Table”, support your local farmers!
There are many ways to get access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats and artisanal goods and many benefits to making a trip out to one of these markets despite the big box grocery store being so convenient.
WHY CHOOSE FARMERS MARKETS?
- Affordable Prices: cut out the middle man, markets offer great deals on produce.
- Eat Seasonally and Locally: Let’s get back to eating the way that nature intended. Summer is meant for fresh, raw salads and antioxidant rich berries while in the fall root vegetables and tubers are abundant.
- Think Outside The Box: Meet the farmers that grow your food and support small businesses: Farmers feed cities. We typically group grocery shopping in with our other necessary chores. We mindlessly pick up our usual items from the big box store down the street. Getting outside and connecting with the hard working humans who grow our food develops a deeper connection to what you are eating and is a great way to break the routine. (Bonus: get some free vitamin D)
WHAT TO EAT AND WHEN
For a complete chart of seasonal fruit and vegetables in Ontario check out the website.
ORGANIC AT THE MARKET
A common misconception with market shopping is that all farmers market produce is organic. Don’t assume, ask the farmer. Remember that with affordable prices more organic might be in your budget versus shopping at the local health food store. I encourage selecting organic produce as much as possible. If there is a particular fruit or vegetable that you eat often, choosing organic is best. If sticking to a budget is important use the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen charts that can be found on www.ewg.com (The Environmental Working Group) invest in organic where fruits and veg are heavily sprayed and wash your clean fifteen with a non toxic fruit and vegetable spray.
FARMERS MARKET SEASON OVER?
No problem! Try a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) or produce delivery service that will ship to your door.
Melissa’s Homemade Fruit and Vegetable Spray
Ingredients:
Filtered water
White vinegar or organic lemon juice
3:1 ratio of vinegar to filtered water
Berries (use lemon juice-unless you like vinegar with your raspberries!)
Get out there this summer, meet the farmers, brush the soil off your vegetables, enjoy the delicious local ingredients that your backyard has to offer.