Top 10 Foods to Buy Local

Buying locally grown foods has nutritional, economic and environmental benefits. Fresh produce loses nutrients quickly. Locally grown produce can be purchased soon after harvest thus retaining more nutrients and tasting better. Buying local supports local farmers, boosts the local economy and preserves open space. Take advantage of the seasonal and locally grown produce available in your part of the country. Photo: Getty Images

Tomatoes

Visit your local farmer’s market and take advantage of buying locally grown tomatoes when in season. These tomatoes were probably picked a few hours before coming to market. On average, produce offered in supermarkets travels 1,500 miles from field to shelf. Locally grown tomatoes are more flavorful because they are picked when ripe.

Corn

The availability of fresh corn heralds the arrival of summer. Corn has a tendency to lose its flavor soon after it is picked. Buying locally grown corn gives you the chance to enjoy its wonderful fresh taste. A large percentage of commercially grown corn in the United States comes from genetically modified seeds. So if this does not appeal to you, buy local.

Salad Greens

Locally grown salad greens will be fresher, crisper and taste better than similar produce that has been in transport and sitting in the supermarket produce section for several days. Visit your local farmer’s market and look for organic produce. Most local farmers have a great respect for the land and practice organic gardening. If the use of pesticides concerns you, ask the seller if chemicals are used in growing this produce.

Squash

Summer, zucchini, butternut or acorn squash are all good choices of vegetables to buy locally. Like other produce, a product that is locally grown is picked at the peak of ripeness, has a short transport time and superior taste.

Peaches

If you are lucky enough to have access to orchards that offers a pick your own option, you should consider looking for one that grows peaches. Even if you do not want to pick the fruit yourself, these types of orchards also have stands of already picked fruits. The taste and freshness of a locally grown peach are excellent reasons to buy locally.

Apples

Small farms tend to use less chemicals and pesticides than large commercial growers. Buying apples that are locally grown and when in season guarantees a fresher, crisper and better flavored product. Whether you pick your own apples or buy them at a farmer’s market, this is one food to buy locally.

Strawberries

This is one top food to buy locally. Picking fresh strawberries or buying them at a farmer’s market is a summertime treat. The level of flavor and juiciness of locally grown strawberries surpasses that of strawberries that have traveled across the country or halfway around the world.

Eggs

With the recent national recall of eggs because of salmonella contamination, buying eggs from a local farm with free range chicken is a good idea. Eggs from free-range chickens are believed to be more nutritious because of the chickens’ healthier lifestyle.

Cheeses

Some parts of the United States are fortunate to be home to local residents who raise goats, sheep or cows and also produce cheeses. This is one product to buy locally if you can. The benefit is a fresh and unique product that is not over processed with artificial additives.

Organic Honey

Check out your local farmer’s market for organic honey. Regional beekeepers offer a limited amount of honey for sale. Honey is a bountiful source of antioxidants and antibacterial compounds. Organic honey that is unheated and unfiltered has a buttery texture and superior flavor.

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Top 10 Foods to Buy Local