Go Local This Holiday Season!

Grocery stores start ramping up for Thanksgiving even before they clear out the Halloween candy. Turkey and ham is advertised at less than a dollar a pound for certain weekend sales. Canned potatoes are buy one get one and the produce isle begins to develop color in both veggie selection and clearance signage. With all the great advertised deals at chain supermarkets, many people don’t realize the benefits of creating a local Thanksgiving meal.

Local Food is Fresh and Real

You can purchase the produce for traditional Thanksgiving meals at local farmer’s markets. Sweet potatoes, potatoes, squash and pumpkins are all available during November. They are historical November table foods for that reason. Buying fruits and veggies from your local farmer ensures you are eating fresh grown food. You can even choose foods that were grown without harsh chemicals.

Farm Fresh Food is Often Healthier

The oversized turkey at the grocery store may feed a lot of people, but is it really food? Most mass-produced turkeys are raised on corn-based diets and hormones to promote growth. Local, free-range turkeys raised without hormones are much healthier. They usually taste better too. The same goes for vegetables, fruits and grains. You are more likely to buy products without additives or chemicals if you buy locally.

Buying Local Reduces Environmental Impact

The potato you buy at a grocery store in New Hampshire might hale from Idaho. That’s a long way for a potato to travel. Food in a grocery store travels on average around 1,300 miles from harvest to purchase. It takes a lot of fuel to carry bulk foods over such distances, creating a large impact on the environment. Local food generally travels less than 150 miles and food purchased from a farmer’s market averages even less travel. When you buy local, you support a process that consumes less resources.

Thanksgiving Foods Available from Local Farmers

In most areas, you can purchase almost all the ingredients for a holiday meal from farmer’s markets and farm coop stores. Items that are locally grown or produced in many areas include:

• Turkey and other meats
• Vegetables, including corn, potatoes, squash, pumpkins and green beans
• Fruits
• Milk and other dairy products like butter and cheese
• Eggs
• Wine
• Sugar substitutes like honey

If you aren’t into buying fresh and making food from scratch, there are plenty of options other than pre-packaged, preservative-laced canned or frozen goods. Many local businesses like bakeries, restaurants and caterers offer Thanksgiving packages. You can buy an entire meal made from natural or local products. You can also buy pies, baked goods, side dishes and entrees to supplement your Thanksgiving table.

You can provide delicious, healthy and environmentally friendly meal this Thanksgiving by shopping with local markets. Not only will you increase the taste and nutrition of your holiday table, you will also support local businesses and economy.

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