The basic sourcing and shopping for real food has become much easier. So instead of “Where do I find it?” the biggest stumbling block for most people today has become ”Where do I start?”
You can source fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, and meat products locally. Local produce is fresher and easier on the environment. By purchasing local foods you support small farmers, and your money stays within the local economy, close to home where you’ll see it return the most value.
Local
Eat where you live! The commonly accepted standard for local food means it was grown, gathered or raised within a 150 mile radius of where you live. Another added benefit of local food is that you will know where your food comes from and can literally visit the source.
Sustainable
Sustainable food is produced in ecologically principled ways that cause little or no harm to the earth or it’s inhabitants-plants, animals or humans.
Wholesome Foods
Wholesome foods exist as close to their natural state as possible, and represent the simplest nutrients, unrefined or unprocessed, such as brown rice. These foods are whole and arrive in their natural packaging, such as a peel, skin or shell.
Seasonal
Seasonal foods arrive in abundance at at particular time of year such as pumpkins in fall, parsnips in winter, asparagus in spring, and strawberries in summer.
Organic Foods
These include fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, milk, and cheeses that have been produce without the use of chemicals pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. If a food items bears the USDA’s organic label, it must meet certain standards.
Transitional Foods – These foods have been grown under conditions that meet organic growing standards but lack either the required length of time for the land to be free of chemical usage(36 mounts) or the process for proper certification has yet been completed. These products are not allowed to be labeled as organic, but labeling them as “transitional” allows you to support farmers who are moving towards certification.
Farms
Getting food at a farm means going directly to the source. Some farms offer an option call “u-pick”, where the farmer sets a price per pound on what you can harvest yourself.
You can find farm stands seasonally, usually in the same sport year after year. If a farm isn’t certified as organic, that doesn’t mean it’s not sustainable. Talking to the farmer they will give you an opportunity to learn more about their practices.
Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA)
You can become a member of the farm by buying a share in the upcoming harvest. For a fee, you receive a weekly portion(a box of produce) during the growing season. Learn more.
Farmers Market
An open-air market where farmers, other food producers and artisans gather to sell foods and other items they have grown, raised or produced. Most producers are organic and sustainable though some are not. Many markets are seasonal while some are regular weekly gatherings.
Co-ops
A food cooperative is a member-owned club or store. Members buy food in bulk at wholesale prices from cooperative warehouses or retail distributors. Learn more.
Grocery Stores
Many stores are starting to carry and label products that are local, organic or transitional. You are more likely to find them at regional grocery store chains, not the mega-stores.