Statistics suggest that local food markets account for a small, but growing, share of U-S agricultural production. Cathy Isom tells us why you may be seeing a lot more “locally grown and produced” foods these days. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Local Food Market
From: Consumer Reports
Quality of Produce is Better when Eating Locally Grown Food
Farmers market shoppers say quality of produce is better
The National Restaurant Association says that menus featuring locally produced fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, and wine are among the hottest trends this year. And sections just for local food are sprouting up in big-box stores and supermarkets. The growing movement has even inspired a new word: “locavore,” meaning someone who prefers food that hasn’t moved a long distance to market. But does eating this way automatically mean that you’re eating healthier? Here’s a quick look at this trend.
Is it more nutritious?
One thing that’s clear is that fresh food tends to have more nutrients than food that was picked days or weeks ago, says Michael Pollan, author of “Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual” (Penguin, 2009).
Does it taste better?
Surveys conducted at farmers markets have found that people tend to shop there because they think the food is of higher quality and tastes better. For example, a recent survey conducted at a farmers market in Brownsville, Texas, found that more than 80 percent of shoppers said the produce was better than what they found at other places they shopped. More than half said they ate more fruit and vegetables as a result of shopping at the market.
Is local the same as organic?
Bottom line. While the jury is still out on the specific health benefits of eating locally produced food, there’s no question that choosing a bounty of fresh, unprocessed food is better for you than, say, grabbing a prepared meal high in sodium and fat from the freezer aisle of a supermarket. And everyone can benefit from eating more fruit and vegetables, the cornerstone of most farmers markets. If you don’t have one nearby or a local food section at your grocery store, consider joining a community supported agriculture program, or CSA.
Find a Farmers Market in Your StateUSDA. Agricultural Marketing Service.
Video: Farmers Markets: Fresh, Nutritious, Local (USDA)
Why shop at farmers markets? Fresh, nutritious, locally grown fruits and vegetables are just a few reasons. See what this Nutrition.gov registered dietitian has to say to shoppers and farmers.