Why you should buy local
The next week, July 23-31 Challenge begins local Buy Maryland which challenges Marylanders to eat at least one article per day up on a local farm. Bonnie Alexander, RD, LDN, outpatient dietitian at Washington Adventist Hospital Adventist HealthCare, tells us why she "supports all heart" buying local products and what organic really means.
Buy locally grown produce not only benefits your local economy, but can offer health and nutritional benefits.
What are the benefits of buying local?
- Fruits and vegetables grown organically and eaten in season have more vitamins and minerals and are often tastier
- farmers' markets can be a great place to discover new fruits and vegetables and offer competitive prices
- You can talk with the producer on the product and the best way to prepare
- Walking around the market your local farmer is a fun way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors
- locally grown crops require less storage time and probably less chemical preservatives
local purchase is in season, organic fruits and vegetables more accessible and cost effective.
But what exactly biological means?
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates what food is considered organic. According to the USDA, organic food is grown using sustainable farming practices. It also means not to use certain pesticides, fertilizers or other chemicals. Meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.
How do I know if food is organic?
In shops, food that is organic will display a "100% organic" seal "USDA Organic" or. Foods that simply say "organic" on the label are 95-99 percent organic . Although not all locally grown produce is organic, much is, and farmers should be able to describe their culture techniques.
is eating healthier organic?
Some studies have shown that organic foods are safer and higher in nutritional quality, while other large studies have shown that there is little difference between products typically compared to organic farming. in other words, there is no right or wrong answer.
what is certain is that you use less harmful chemicals such as pesticides by eating organic food. Although it is difficult to tell if it is really worth the money to switch to organic products you can feel good about your decision to support local producers when you buy local!
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Want more help to eat healthy? To make an appointment with one of our dieticians, please call 301-891-6105.
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