Embrace Local: Benefits of Shopping Small for Fresh Food

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The ideal situation for a Diligent Homemaker would be to grow her own food, to be as sustainable as possible. This scenario most certainly is the best assurance for fresh, healthy food consumption. For many of us, however, this is only a dream and a hope (one that we can hold onto!) so we must do the best we can.

A homemaker who does the best she can with what she has and where she is in life is who the Heritage Ways community calls a Diligent Homemaker.

Shopping small and local is the goal and six reasons motivate me to do so.

Note: Heritage Ways is not affiliated with the source links in this post. These are provided for information and as a stepping-stone for your research. My rule-of-thumb when seeking information is to go to unbiased sources.

1. Garden Fresh Food, Less Travel Time. Food is much fresher, and in most cases healthier, when it is grown within a small radius of your home. Fresh produce which is grown for the purpose of long-distance travel must undergo additional coverage of protectants and preservatives which prepare it for cross-county travel. Small farmer- and homestead-grown garden produce is typically healthier as it does not have to be treated for travel more than a few miles, from the farm to the local market or produce stand. Less travel time also means food products go from source to consumer in shorter time, resulting in fresher products with more nutrients in tact.
2. Know Farmer, Build Community. We all consume food. What we put in our bodies should be of great importance and concern to us, especially if we are responsible for feeding others in our households, as well. Whether you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert, knowing the grower of that life-giving produce, or protein, should be priority. Your relationship with the farmer can be as relational as asking about his family members and showing genuine interest in his lifestyle or simply knowing his name, gleaning some knowledge and learning the rhythm of his growing seasons. Building community, I believe, is part of why we are here on this earth together. We need one another and we all thrive on various levels of community. Having a healthy rapport with your farmer or local growers will go a long way toward adding to your community.
3. Local Economy. Shopping locally, supporting small business and local growers, literally builds the community financially. Too many small towns are dying or dead due to the migration of folks from their provincial heritage to the big cities of concrete and busyness. Thankfully, and more recently, many are realizing this sad state of affairs and some small towns are experiencing renewal. We can keep our small community heritage alive by seeking out not only farmers, producers, growers but also local artisans, craftsmen and skilled workers.
4. Food Recalls. The number of food recalls per week in America should be enough to alarm us all and consider what we can grow on our own properties. The act of shopping for food demonstrates our trust in the farmer, producer, market, or grocery store that we are supporting. The last thing we want or expect is for the food to make ourselves or our family members ill. Food recalls from the FDA may be tracked here. An option is offered to receive regular notices, as well. We most certainly do not need to be obsessed with the nefarious side of the food industry, but, as Diligent Homemakers, we do want to be informed to the degrees that our mental and emotional states can handle. (In other words, don’t stress and go crazy over all the bad in the world!)
5. Food Additives, Preservatives, Coatings. Additives and preservatives are certainly nothing new to the food industry, especially given the distance that produce must travel. Coatings have been used on traveling fruit for years. A new coating is on the market which is causing quite a bit of concern. Read about APeel in this article from Deep Roots at Home.
6. Questionable “Food” Products. Yes, insects have been consumed as a delicacy in many countries for centuries. That is fine is this is the choice of the consumer. If you wish to know which insects are consumable, Dr. Axe has that information right here for you. We certainly don’t wish to be duped into consuming anything we don’t realize we are eating. Know what is set before you. Whether or not you choose to consume it at that point, it your choice. Freedom of food choice is the goal. What about “food glue?” Food, or meat, glue is produced from guinea pig livers and/or fermented bacteria to connect small pieces of meat, forming larger pieces. Typically, this gluing practice is visually undetected by the consumer. Read more at NutritionFacts(dot)org about this substance that connects meat tissue in some restaurants, deli counters or grocery stores. Further information from Dr. Axe may be found here. Check food labels for the word “formed,” or the ingredient “TG enzyme.”

We Diligent Homemakers are thankful for so many resources. We have homes, access to endless information, ability to make choices. We have time and finances, as well as, our physical bodies, minds and energy. All of these resources can vary in value and fluctuate through our lives and even our day!

Do you ever tire?

Let’s discuss our energy levels. Face it, you and I are tired. (If you are a busy homemaker and never tire, let’s talk! Tell us your secrets.) Some days, we have done all we can and still need some shortcuts. It’s OK to take those shortcuts if they will allow us more sanity or time. It is not worth the stress on our bodies and our loved ones for us to “do all the things” and, as a result, be stressed-to-the-max. Carrying stress around in our minds, on our hearts and in our bodies can negate all the good we do by growing our own food, visiting local markets or making homemade meals. Remember to do the best we can with what we have and where we are in life.

Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention. Proverbs 17:1 of the Amplified Bible

Sometimes we just need more convenience than on other days. Whether the reason is lack of energy, lack of ability to make it to the market, lack of personal garden, fill-in-the-blank reason, we need some help.

Late to the grocery store online ordering and pick-up game, I have recently taken advantage of these services. Many Diligent Homemakers have been using this service for years. Although I have my reasons for not using a grocery pick-up on the regular, I do appreciate the occasional advantage. Recently, I was able to order a few items from Kroger because the items were out-of-season (like lettuce in Tennessee’s summer) and picked them up from the grocery store with no added fee. This sure helped my body which was already tired from moving into a new home.

Summary

1. Buying from local farmers and growers can assure fresher food, higher quality, enriching the community and building local economy.
2. Know what is set before you. Whether or not you choose to consume it at that point, is your choice. Freedom of food choice is the goal.
3. Do the best you can with the information you have.
4. Use resources wisely but give permission to Self to take shortcuts, if/as needed.

Let’s return down-home, comfort food to your supper table!

My first and most popular cookbook contains 205 of the recipes my family asked me to write down for them — their favorites! Grab your copy of From Katie’s Kitchen, Vol. One cookbook HERE.

Count your blessings,
Mrs. Katie of Heritage Ways