Did you know that the average piece of produce travels 5,000 miles to get to your supermarket? Yep. That’s a long way! As the seasons change if you are like me, consumption of more raw food feels the most glorious in spring and summer. Here’s five simple ways to get more local/seasonal produce in. -XO
- Find Your Local Farmers Market. In Capetown I lived down the street from one of the best farmers markets I’ve ever been to and it was glorious! Not only do you get to try veggies you didn’t realize were season; you get to meet the amazing people who grow the food.
- Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Nothing nearby? For a flat weekly or monthly rate, you receive a box of fresh, local, seasonal produce. Some CSAs will deliver right to your door, while others have specific pick-up sites.
- Grown Your Own Food or Start an Herb Garden. I do not have a green thumb, but my mother does. years ago when she had two large gardens on the family property, I used to help pick the veggies when they were fully grown. My schedule, and patience has never allowed me to try gardening on my own, but I highly recommend it, no matter how small if you have the inclination. This doesn’t have to be a go big or go home project, you can start with some herbs and work your way up to other things. The key is to START!
- Find Out What Is In Season. Eating mangoes in the dead of winter is fun and possible thanks to our grocery stores—but they’ll most likely taste better if you have them in the right season. Eating what nature locally produces also helps to get more diversity in your diet and avoid a food rut.
- Look for LOCAL Labels. Shop at grocery stores that label the origins of your produce. Lucky for you some grocery stores actually label where the produce has traveled from; so you have the option to choose food from local farms.