Between 2011 and 2012, Americans crammed into the more than 37,000 different grocery stores across the country to get the items they needed to fill their shelves and refrigerators. As a result of that trend, according to Progressive Grocer Magazine, total supermarket sales in 2012 totaled more than $602 billion. While there are some benefits to heading to the grocery store, including the ability to buy organic food, heading to a local food markets might be a better option. In addition to helping shoppers get away from lines and crowds, natural food markets offer several benefits that grocery stores simply can’t compete with.
Always Fresh
Because the items at farmer’s markets and other similar places are brought in by local growers, you can be sure that they are always going to be fresh. And, since fresh is tasty, they will usually be more delicious. It is possible to taste the difference between produce that was shipped hundreds of miles and fresh items, so when it comes to the best-tasting meals, buying from local food producers is a good idea.
Enjoy Seasonal Foods
As fall approaches, items like apple and pumpkin-flavored foods become popular for all kinds of people. For the most part, locally produced food will be better than packaged items that can be found in grocery stores. Whether you like to drink apple cider, get a splash of pumpkin in your coffee, or just bit into a crisp juicy apple, the best items of the fall can be found at locally sourced food markets.
Go Green
By buying from local food producers, you can cut down the environmental impacts associated with shipping foods long distances. Though certain foods are simply not available in every region, and might have to be brought in by trucks, buying local can cut down on the amount of shipping that is required overall. For instance, buying apples from local growers in New York or oranges from local food producers in Florida can make a big difference.
Support the Local Economy
Heading to the supermarket to buy all of your groceries could be more convenient at time, but it is certainly not better for your community. By buying items from local farmers, artisans, and even restaurants who use local ingredients, you can make sure that the money you spend on food stays close to home. This is a great advantage for anyone who loves the community that they live in.
There are lots of reasons to shop local for all kinds of products, and that includes grocery shopping. Grocery stores can be convenient, but heading to local farmer’s markets to enjoy the fresh air and fresh, tasty foods is a great alternative.