According to the Baltimore Sun, “Giant Food of Landover is working with 45 area farms to supply local produce to all stores this summer.” And Koinonia Farm at Gramercy is proud to be among the Maryland farm suppliers bringing fresh, organic culinary herbs to local grocery shelves this season. With so many options available at big box retailers and your neighborhood grocery store, why feed your family local produce this summer? You are what you eat! Here are some of the top benefits for shopping local, especially when it comes to what you put on your plate.
5 benefits of buying local produce
- Supports the local economy. Buying local produce supports farmers and growers in your own backyard, keeps money close to home, reinvesting with businesses and services in your community.
- Better for the environment. Produce from the west coast and other countries travel quite a way from that farm to the grocery store shelf. By eating local produce you’re helping decrease emissions from the transportation and the fuel required to cover an average of 1500 miles. And
- Tastes better. Local farms can allow their produce to grow to its peak ripeness before picking. That means the fruits and veggies on your plate are packed with fresh flavors and taste even better.
- Healthier. Fruits and vegetables begin to lose their optimal nutritional value as soon as they are picked including vitamins C, E, A and some B vitamins. The longer produce sits on the shelf, the more it is exposed to air, artificial lights and temperature changes, also decreasing the nutritional value. While all fruits and veggies are a healthy choice for you and your family, it only makes sense that local produce is fresher and therefore even healthier.
- Invests in the future. By supporting local farms today, you are helping to ensure that there will be farms in your community tomorrow. Buying foods grown and raised close to home helps preserve green space and farmland in your community for future generations.
Visit MarylandsBest.net to learn more about what’s seasonal and available at local Maryland farms near you.
Now that you know the benefits of buying local produce, ready to sink your teeth in? Take the Buy Local Challenge and pledge to eat at least one thing from a local farm each day during Buy Local Week (July 18 – 26, 2015). We’ll make your first day easy… pick up some fresh herbs with the Koinonia Farm label at your neighborhood Giant store!
Tags: local produce, Maryland farms