Pick Your Own Veggies

Choosing locally grown produce is good for the environment, your wallet and your waistline. The new direction in agriculture production is to provide restaurants and consumers with fruits and vegetables that are grown and consumed in a radius of 100 miles or less.

Every year, we use millions upon millions of gallons of fossil fuels moving food from one end of the country to the other. By either growing your own or selecting locally grown foods, we eliminate the pollution created by transportation and lessen our dependence on oil.

Buying locally also forces you to eat foods that are in season. Obviously, something in season is going to be less expensive, reducing our food costs. I am lucky to live in a climate where the growing season runs from October to May so an assortment of fresh veggies are always available and plentiful. No matter where you may live, you will find something fresh and in season all year round.

Did you know that the nutritional value of food starts to decrease almost immediately after picking? The faster the food gets to our table and into our stomachs, the more we benefit from the vitamins and minerals contained in these foods. Take a trip today to a local farm where you can pick your own vegetables or locate a store or produce stand that shares this philosophy and do your part to eat locally.