The Benefits of Local and Organic Produce

 If you are anything like me you like saving some money on healthy food options. Produce can get pretty expensive and with a few tweaks, it can be more affordable.

One of the ways to bring prices down on organic produce is to purchase local produce. I recently found a local Farmer’s Market. When we get produce from a small farmer we are supporting our community, but there are other benefits as well when purchasing local produce.

• You get fresher produce and since it is grown locally it has fewer miles to travel.
• When produce is harvested it loses some of its nutrients over time. The fresher it is the more nutrients are still intact for you to benefit from.
• Supporting your neighbors and your community incentivizes local growers to continue to growing produce. *Purchasing at your local grocery store also supports your community.
• You can speak to the Farmer/ Grower about the usage of chemicals on their produce and learn about their process.
• It’s great for children to see that people in their community are doing this work and everyone benefits from it.
• Allowing your kids to engage in choosing different fruit and vegetables makes them more excited about trying them.
• Local produce is some of the most nutrient-dense food you can buy since the produce will be in season.

Shopping At Local Discount Grocery Stores

Everyone does not have a local Farmer’s Market but if you have an Aldi or Lidl in your area this is a great way to get some organic produce.

Even though it may not come from a local farm it is typically much cheaper than conventional grocery stores. Because of this, it’s more cost-effective to purchase organic produce.

As a Holistic Nutritionist, I like to feed my family nutrient-dense food and produce that has fewer toxins if I can help it! And I want to help you do the same.

Another great resource to utilize when shopping for produce is to check out the EWG’s list of dirty dozen and clean 15. This list was created to help when choosing produce that is not organic based on the amount of pesticides used. If you are trying to avoid toxins or have allergies this is a great resource for produce that isn’t organic.

Farmer’s Market and Aldi Haul

Other Options for Organic Produce (Delivered)

Another option for organic produce that will deliver to you if you don’t have a Farmer’s Market or a discount grocery store like Aldi or Lidl is Misfits Market.

A few years ago I shared my experience with an Organic produce delivery that I used for quite a while. My family really enjoyed the Misfit’s Market company but began to travel for work so it wasn’t a good option while traveling.

Ultimately I would love to have my own garden again but until then I love utilizing Farmer’s Markets, and stores like Aldi, and Lidl.

But as I always say do the best with what you have in the season that you are in and steward that to the best of your ability.

Cher – Style and Stewardship

Have you shopped at a Farmer’s Market?

What are your favorite items to purchase?

If you could grow anything what would it be?

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