“A lot of people just aren’t aware of where to access good local produce,” Chef Lon said at Whole Foods cooking class in Pittsburgh this summer.
Whole Foods Market is just one of several stores and venues that feature a myriad of local produce in the Pittsburgh area. During the summer and fall months, the store sponsors a farmers' market in their parking lot.
At the most recent one, lettuces, squash and herbs were plentiful. The soggy weather has slowed early summer growth, but farmers will be out in full force throughout July and August.
Why Buy Local?
However, you might ask what are the benefits of buying locally grown food?
According to www.localharvest.org “People worldwide are rediscovering the benefits of buying local food. It is fresher than anything in the supermarket and that means it is tastier and more nutritious. It is also good for your local economy--buying directly from family farmers help them stay in business.”
Apparently, more people are attempting to find foods that are farmed in the United States and locally. This trend has been escalating due to a number of high profile food contamination scares ranging from beef to peanut butter and most recently cookie dough.
No matter where you live, local produce should be found in variety of places.
Farmers' Markets
The most common would be the farmers' market. This phenomenon is practically ancient, its roots stemming from Peruvian farmers in the Andes to Asian and African markets.
The popularity is worldwide now. Small farms prefer it as a way to get their goods directly to the people. Church and store parking lots serve as the most common locations for these. However, to find a farmers' market near you go to the www.localharvest.org website and type in your zip code.
Other Venues
Other places to find local food include U-Picks, when a farm allows the community to come in during harvest time and pick their own; small farm stands on roadways; food co-ops, a membership-based store, and Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), where the customers pay the farmer for a membership and have produce sent to them. Some CSAs require that you actually work on the farm for a percentage of the year. CSA members may also be shareholders.
So if pesticides and contamination have been more on your mind as you peruse the produce of your local grocery store, find out where you can access what the farmer a few miles down the road has harvested. Visit your neighborhood organic stores and food-coops or find local farmer's markets. If you're feeling extra ambitious, join a CSA or gather your own produce at a U-Pick. These are just some ways to engage in buying and eating healthier fruits and vegetables.
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