Benefits of Locally Grown Vegetables

The benefits of locally produced vegetables are numerous. The first one that comes to mind concerns nutrition. Locally grown vegetables are more nutritious because they are fresh. Vitamins and minerals slowly escape from vegetables the longer they are kept after harvesting. In most locally grown markets, the food is picked in the early morning hours and sold that same day. Consequently, families can expect a nutritious dinner on that day. Compare that freshness to food grown clear across the United States, possibly in California and then shipped to West Virginia or Kentucky. Days, even weeks will have elapsed before the food actually gets on some hungry child's dinner plate.

Another reason and one well worth considering when totaling the benefits of eating locally grown foods is the green effect. It is clearly advantageous to eat food nearer home and to avoid the excess accumulation of carbon dioxide in the environment. The exhaust from the refrigerated trucks adds to an already overburdened atmosphere.

Next, the local economy thrives when it is supported by the local community. Obviously, not everything can be bought locally since few towns and cities are that well rounded where production is concerned, but whenever possible buy locally. A good argument of course is one that says while local grown food is more nutritious, it is more costly. Not only that, the selection is narrower.

The above argument is true but grocery shopping was never meant to be a convenience. It demands planning ahead and shoppers need to acquaint themselves with what is available in the local farmers markets and plan their super market shopping accordingly. Of course extra time will be needed to do a little comparing of quality and prices, but it most certainly will be time well spent.

Shoppers need to get involved in all the local farmers markets. Know who sells the best produce and at the best prices and what can be expected in the weeks to come. Prices may vary. The first shoppers will get the cream of the crop and will probably pay the higher prices, while later on in evening shoppers will have less of a selection but will be awarded with price reductions.

The sellers will not want to take any of the produce home with them. This, of course, refers to the side of the road and open air markets. With a little luck housewives who like to can and to freeze food will find excellent bargains by buying overstocks of vegetables. Expect the unexpected where locally grown produce is concerned.

Why not wander far afield when shopping. Driving farther out to the pick-your-own farms will be an adventure for the whole family and will give children a good lesson in how food is grown. They will love to pick their own strawberries, select their own pumpkins for Halloween and will delight in this rare treat of a weekend adventure with their parents.

There really is more to eating than satisfying a hunger. Discovery of the best places to have family fun while supporting local economies may be one of the most important delights of shopping.

Let us now count the benefits of eating local grown foods. Nutritional is one, going green is two, supporting local economies is three, better selections is four and adventure is five. And that is only a beginning, I am sure.