Buying Local

FARMERS' MARKETS ARE RETURNING IN NY! With the warm weather approaching, I not only look foward to getting the kids out just about everyday, I look foward to my weekly trips to my local farmers' market! Buying local is the best thing to do whenever you can. Some stores tend to carry some locally grown food, when possible and in season of course.

Buying local is good for your health, your community and the environment! Your decision to buy local has a huge impact on your community. If you want to lower your carbon footprint and get the freshest best tasting food, all you have to do is shop close to home as often as possible. And spread the word, encourage friends and neighbors to do the same.

When you buy locally you support your neighboring farms, the city, town, state, and/or region. You will find many of the same things that you do at your local supermarket, only it didn't have to ride on an airplane of across 10 state lines before it gets to it's final destination, your kitchen. While you are doing your part to decrease your carbon footprint, you are also doing your part to help keep more money in your own local and surrounding communities. This is possible if you make it a point to buy at least a few local products whenever you go shopping.

Many stores and local farmers markets offer fresh, local poultry, meats, seafood, dairy products, eggs, regional wines, honey, baked goods, jams and jellies, fruits, vegetables and flowers. What is available to you depends on where you live, but there is always something local and fresh!

The benefits of buying locally produced foods are not only to provide your family with the freshest food possible. It helps keep shipping costs out of the price you pay for you items. It also cuts down on the environmental impact of fuels and emissions that come along with getting those strawberries from California when they are not in season in New York. I can also guarantee that local farmers would very much appreciate your purchases, which help them stay in buisness.

When local farmers' markets are not operating, commit to buying at least some of your produce at supermarkets and retailers that are commited to selling more locally produced products in their stores. Encourage local restuarants to buy some of their ingredients from local growers. Our individual and combined efforts really can make a difference!

to find a farmer's market by you click the link below:

http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/