There are many benefits that will encourage you to buy locally. The first is that they are fresher. Foods that are grown locally do not need the chemicals to preserve the shelf life of fruits that are grown and shipped from overseas. With increased demand for local food, farmers are able to use more land resulting in the reduction of prices and risk of land being auctioned to large businesses. Below are a few tips to help you when buying Missouri Local Produce:
Follow the seasons- In the past, people ate whatever food was in a season which made it more natural. By buying locally, you can do the same. Eating seasonally also provides more variety throughout the year rather having the same old foods. Begin gradually- When starting out to buy home food do it gradually assign a certain percentage of your food budget to purchase home produce.
The usual process is that the farmer plants a variety of fruits, herbs, and vegetables that are ready at different times through the season. Then you can pick up your share every week or every two weeks, and get whatever was ready. Spring might have peas, strawberries or asparagus and then later through the summer might have beans, tomatoes, onions or just about anything else. You get the picture.
Farmers markets- Home farming associations hold markets on a regular basis where home farmers can sell their home produce direct to the public. This is a great way to buy home quality food and meet your home suppliers. Make sure you get there early as these farmers markets are very popular as they say, 'the early bird catches the worm.'
We've already discussed why buying regionally gives you the biggest nutritional bang for your buck. The food reaches your table faster than by any other method. The sooner you eat something that has been picked or harvested, the more nutritional benefit you get.
Anyway, this is a good introduction into the world of CSAs so if you see a local farmer offering one; you should check it out and see what's being offered. Just remember that you are buying a year's worth of seasonal food so the cost can seem high (several hundred dollars). Considering that can buy you 20 or more weeks of fresh food, it's not that bad.
Do not get me wrong; I understand that many tourists, will in fact never come close to home eateries, cafes or restaurants, simply because they do not frequent the same places. It is also true that many tourists simply do not want to or are not willing to try home foods subsequently you will find McDonald's being used by many tourists as the 'Safe' option.
This is understandable in some respects as many people are fearful of falling ill from home foods. Just use your common sense, busy venues, frequented by many locals are often the cleanest. A quiet restaurant, just for tourists may be reheating food it has been waiting to sell for days.
Follow the seasons- In the past, people ate whatever food was in a season which made it more natural. By buying locally, you can do the same. Eating seasonally also provides more variety throughout the year rather having the same old foods. Begin gradually- When starting out to buy home food do it gradually assign a certain percentage of your food budget to purchase home produce.
The usual process is that the farmer plants a variety of fruits, herbs, and vegetables that are ready at different times through the season. Then you can pick up your share every week or every two weeks, and get whatever was ready. Spring might have peas, strawberries or asparagus and then later through the summer might have beans, tomatoes, onions or just about anything else. You get the picture.
Farmers markets- Home farming associations hold markets on a regular basis where home farmers can sell their home produce direct to the public. This is a great way to buy home quality food and meet your home suppliers. Make sure you get there early as these farmers markets are very popular as they say, 'the early bird catches the worm.'
We've already discussed why buying regionally gives you the biggest nutritional bang for your buck. The food reaches your table faster than by any other method. The sooner you eat something that has been picked or harvested, the more nutritional benefit you get.
Anyway, this is a good introduction into the world of CSAs so if you see a local farmer offering one; you should check it out and see what's being offered. Just remember that you are buying a year's worth of seasonal food so the cost can seem high (several hundred dollars). Considering that can buy you 20 or more weeks of fresh food, it's not that bad.
Do not get me wrong; I understand that many tourists, will in fact never come close to home eateries, cafes or restaurants, simply because they do not frequent the same places. It is also true that many tourists simply do not want to or are not willing to try home foods subsequently you will find McDonald's being used by many tourists as the 'Safe' option.
This is understandable in some respects as many people are fearful of falling ill from home foods. Just use your common sense, busy venues, frequented by many locals are often the cleanest. A quiet restaurant, just for tourists may be reheating food it has been waiting to sell for days.
About the Author:
Find a list of the advantages you get when you visit a Missouri local produce market and more information about a great market at http://www.anthonysproduce.com now.
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