Fresh Summer Food: How to Find Inexpensive Organic Produce

We've all heard the news stories about people who've developed health problems or even died from eating contaminated food. Did you know that most of the catfish sold at restaurants in Mississippi come from China? Or that a large percentage of the food you eat is probaly imported from foreign factories that are not subject to the same health regulations as local plants? Or that many chemicals used to kill bugs on plants could kill humans if consumed in large quantities? Many people do not realize how many dangerous chemicals are finding their way into the things we eat. You can spend a fortune buying organically grown produce at your local health food store, or you can buy directly from local farmers at a fraction of the price.

Just check your local paper to find out when and where your city holds its farmers' market. Many small towns as well as big cities have wonderful markets where farmers come from surrounding areas to sell fresh vegetables, fruit, and other items such as eggs, real honey, fresh baked goods, homemade salsa, plants, and flowers. The taste and quality of these fresh, home grown products cannot be beat by stores that import their goods from other states, or even other countries before it finds its way onto their shelves. And the best part is, much of it is grown organically. Want to find out what chemicals, if any were used on the tomato you want to buy? Just ask the farmer behind the counter, and he'll tell you. Many high quality restaurants use this approach when they buy their food. Support restaurants who support local farmers, and you will be helping out your local economy. Why give your money to people you've never met and never will?

Buying locally is so much more personal than buying from a big chain grocery store. If you have ever bought locally, you have seen the smiles on the faces of the people who sell you the fruits of their labor. They always seem excited that someone is going to enjoy what they worked hard to produce. If you shop at a farmers' market on a regular basis, those smiling faces will begin to look familiar, and you may even make some new friends. In the summertime, when new crops are ripening every week, there is no excuse to confine your shopping to produce from other states or other countries.