We know we need to eat from a rainbow of colors, and I'm not talking about the bright colored cereal pieces in a box of fruity loops. Most produce is best eaten immediately off the vine, tree, bush, or plant. Every hour it sits, it loses a certain number of its nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. You want food that is as fresh as possible. How fresh is that head of lettuce that was harvest in California last week? What about the strawberries picked in Mexico? Yes, this is still better than not eating fresh Missouri Local Produce at all, but if you want to maximize your produce dollar, start by evaluating your produce choices.
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.
Buying regionally is a good way to ensure this. Buying regionally does three things, Provides the biggest nutritional bang for your buck, Keeps more money in your regional community, Reduces your carbon footprint on the earth
By making your purchase in the spring, you are investing in the farmer and sharing some of his risks. It's a great way to support small farms with this approach, even more so than just being a good customer at a conventional market. You commit to the whole year and pay up front. It's a good deal for him (or her) as well as you.
If we take any city around the world the same rule applies to find good, home, well-priced food and the answer is simple, look where the homes eat. Sure, online guides and tourist guides will give you a good idea of listings, but often they are paid advertisements and also target at what the guide thinks tourists would like. I mean, what better guide or information can you get than from a home.
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.
We all look forward to locally grown food at the peak of summer for restaurant menus or entertaining at home. Whether its from the Farmer's Market or a special experience with a roadside stand selling sun drenched food still warm from the fields.
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.
Buying regionally is a good way to ensure this. Buying regionally does three things, Provides the biggest nutritional bang for your buck, Keeps more money in your regional community, Reduces your carbon footprint on the earth
By making your purchase in the spring, you are investing in the farmer and sharing some of his risks. It's a great way to support small farms with this approach, even more so than just being a good customer at a conventional market. You commit to the whole year and pay up front. It's a good deal for him (or her) as well as you.
If we take any city around the world the same rule applies to find good, home, well-priced food and the answer is simple, look where the homes eat. Sure, online guides and tourist guides will give you a good idea of listings, but often they are paid advertisements and also target at what the guide thinks tourists would like. I mean, what better guide or information can you get than from a home.
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.
We all look forward to locally grown food at the peak of summer for restaurant menus or entertaining at home. Whether its from the Farmer's Market or a special experience with a roadside stand selling sun drenched food still warm from the fields.
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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