“Eating local” is a popular buzz phrase in the media.
Experts suggest that eating locally grown foods is better for the environment, the economy and your health.
Local foods usually have less environmental impact. Foods that are grown locally don’t spend a lot of time in transit, so you’re getting them at their freshest. All those transit costs have to be made up somewhere and that usually means on the consumer end. Not only that, but often local farms are small and do it old school by using less pesticides or chemicals to keep costs down.
Less pesticides & chemicals = better health for you and your family.
Buying locally helps your community. Think of local farmers as local businesses. By giving them your money, you are helping to keep a small business in … well, business. That goes a long way in today’s economy.
One thing is absolutely certain– local food just tastes better. If you have ever eaten cherry tomatoes warm from the vine, you’d agree that they taste different than anything from the stores. Or fresh strawberries in the field.
But, how easy is it to really buy locally? Especially if you do most of your shopping at the commissary?
Not as hard as you’d imagine, actually. Most commissaries (and grocery stores) have begun labeling the origin of fresh fruits and vegetables.
If you’re headed to your local military commissary this month or in August, you may want to check it out on a weekend. Select commissaries are highlighting local food in an outdoor farmers market setting. You’ll be able to pick up any of your favorite seasonal fruits and vegetables.
If you’re lucky enough to live near Fort Meade, Md., Fort Bragg, N.C., Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. and March Air Resrve Base, Calif., you could see a whole new layout to your commissary soon. SpouseBuzz reported the new layout is part of a Healthier Base Initiative that puts healthy options in the limelight.
