Nutrition Quarterly Summer 2022

People are more concerned about where their food is coming from, because they’re more concerned about their health and wellness than ever before, for a number of reasons. We want to make sure that the food we’re eating isn’t filled with unpronounceable chemicals. We want to lose a few extra pounds. We want to fuel our bodies with the best food possible so that we can get more out of them. We want to eat food grown locally to help support the local economy. Whatever the reason, the farm-to-table movement has provided more ways than ever for people to put fresh food into their bellies. You may be wondering, “How can I become part of this movement?” It’s easier than you might think. Here are a few ways you can bring the farm to your table: Start Small Make a list of the fresh or frozen produce you buy every week. Then figure out what items on that list you could get at a farmer’s market or from a local butcher instead of the supermarket. Try frequenting a local grocery instead of a big-name supermarket. Small mom-and-pop type shops are more likely to have established relationships with local farms than chain supermarkets. To the Market! Take your list of foods to a local farmers’ market and go to town! You’d be surprised at the wide variety of goods you can find—from fresh fruits and vegetables, to grains and beans, to eggs, cheeses, bread, meats and even wine from local vineyards—yum! Before you Dine, Look Online Planning a night out? Do a little research on which restaurants in your area work with local farmers and butchers to be sure you’re getting the freshest food. Do your Research on Local Farms While buying from local farms certainly has plenty of benefits, be sure to look into the growing and harvesting practices of area farms before you buy. You might find that the farm that’s closest to you uses harmful pesticides, while a farm a little further away uses only organic farming methods. Some farms use greenhouses to grow specific types of vegetables year round, while others only grow what will grow outside naturally (i.e. no strawberries in Maine in November!). It all depends on what you’re comfortable with, so be sure to do your research before pledging allegiance to one farm. Join a CSA CSAs are a great way to buy local, seasonal foods directly from farmers. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the shares consist of a box of vegetables or fruits, but often include things like eggs, flowers and herbs. Customers then purchase a share (aka a membership or subscription) and receive boxes of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. The benefits of a CSA are numerous: boost the local economy, eat ultra-fresh food, expose yourself to new foods you might not normally buy, support local farmers— the list goes on! Make it a Family Affair A lot of local farms offer fun activities for kids (and kids at heart), like going out into the fields and picking fresh fruit and veggies yourself. Let your kids see and experience for themselves the wonders of farm fresh goods. By making a few small changes in how you purchase your food, you can really make a difference in not only your local economy, but on your health and your family’s health as well. Start bringing the farm to your table! Nutrition Quarterly · Series 3 – Volume 3 11