Support farmers by eating food produced locally

Eating food produced locally tastes good, provides higher nutrition, diminishes pollutants in the environment and strengthens the local economy. As the growing season gets underway, consumers can begin to look for fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmer’s market and sold directly from area farms. Check www.localharvest.com to find farmers in the area.

            “The main reason why the local food is better is that generally it’s picked fresh and taken to market right away, so the nutritional value is much higher,” says Pete Cashel of Terrapin Hill Farm in Harrodsburg www.terrapinhillfarm.com . The average U.S. meal travels 1,500 miles, resulting in food that has lost freshness and nutrients. To survive the shipping and increase shelf life, foods are typically treated with chemicals and harvested before they are at their most vitamin-rich ripeness. That travel also contributes a significant amount of pollutants to the atmosphere.

            Cashel also encourages buying local food because the money stays in the community rather than being sent off to a corporation elsewhere that has stores in the state.

            To connect with others in the area who are interested in supporting local food, check out Slow Food Bluegrass at www.slowfoodbluegrass.org.