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N
utritionists, athletes, trainers, chefs and
numerous celebrities have all raved
about the Buy Local Movement. Chances
are, by now you have also seen it
mentioned in a magazine, newspaper, on the
news or even on social media, with hash-tags
like,“#buylocaleatfresh” or,“#supportlocalag.”
The Buy Local movement has evolved
into a modern day, pop culture fad, but it
may just be a trend that is here to stay.
“Find the shortest, simplest way between the
earth, the hands, and the mouth,” were the wise
words of Italian aristocrat, Joseph del Vasto, and
purchasing your goods directly from the farm
down the road may just be the “simplest way”
between these three means. Supporting farms
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as a consumer, but it also ensures prosperity
to both the farmer and the local economy.
On average, the produce in the grocery store
travels about 1,800 miles by the time it reaches
your shopping cart. Fruits and vegetables are
at their peak nutritional value when they are
ripe and ready to be harvested, and thus should
be eaten shortly after being harvested. Buying
fresh produce and protein directly from the
farm can eliminate the need to purchase farm
goods from the grocery store. Purchasing food
BUY LOCAL
directly from the farmer allows an opportunity
to build a relationship to the person growing
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in the food you consume. Additionally, farmers
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best meets individual wants and needs,
and can provide additional information like
how to properly store and cook food.
The process of visiting a
farmer to purchase your
food is an enriching
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Type in “Kids think
their food comes from
the grocery store”
into a Google search,
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55 billion results.Today, that
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their food comes from the supermarket.
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children at home on where food comes from.
Purchasing food directly from the farmer
not only shows children where their food
comes from, it helps them to understand the
importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables
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There are also economic factors that are
important to the community. One of the
biggest concerns about buying locally-raised
products is the price. Keep in mind, however,
where the where your money is going to.
Purchasing goods either directly or indirectly
PHOTOS BY KARMEN OSEI
Carroll Farm-to-Table
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harvest
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