Eating locally grown foods has many benefits for the consumer, grower and the community. Show Soon farmers markets and roadside stands will be open and offering early spring crops such as rhubarb and asparagus. Also, growers who have greenhouses or hoop houses can offer greens early in the growing season. After what seemed like a long, cold winter season the chance to have locally grown food available to add to meals is irresistible. Having the option to purchase locally grown food has many benefits. Michigan State University Extension suggests the following benefits of buying locally grown food.
As the growing season starts and gets into full swing, you should think about how you can add more locally grown foods to your menus. By doing so you are supporting the many benefits of locally grown food. MSU Extension has educators working across Michigan who provide community food systems educational programming and assistance. For more information, you can contact an educator by conducting a search with MSU Extension’s Find an Expert search tool and using the keywords, “community food systems.” This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). Did you find this article useful?Non-fiction: Where Does Your Food Come From?© 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc.All rights reserved.Article: Copyright © 2009 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved.Weekly Readeris a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation.Used by permission.1Where Does Your Food ComeFrom?By Kathiann M. KowalskiLocal VS. Long-Distance—Does It Matter?Before you know it, spring will be on the way and more fresh fruits andveggies will be in stores. But what about the fresh fruits and vegetables wesee in the stores right now? Where do those foods come from? Locally grownfoods are a great choice when they’re available, but are they really alwaysbetter?Why Buy Local?Taste is the reason Ohio teen Allie M. says she prefers locally grown peachesto ones that might travel more than a thousand miles to the supermarket.“They have to pick them so unripe to ship them, so they don’t spoil,” saysAllie. “They’re not as good as they would be if you went to the farmersmarket during peak season and bought fresh peaches.”When fruits and vegetables taste better, you’ll probably eat them moreoften. That’s good, because the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommendsfilling half your plate with fruits and vegetables.While there’s no clear definition of what’s local, most shoppers agree thatproduce grown nearby is fresher than foods that travel long distances.Local foods can be more nutritious too. “The longer it takes for a food to gofrom the field to your plate, the more it may deteriorate in terms of nutrientcontent,” explains Mary Lee Chin, a registered dietitian at Nutrition EdgeCommunications in Denver. “But a lot of it depends on many differentfactors.” Soil conditions, fertilization practices, irrigation methods, and thespecific plant varieties can all affect nutrient content.“Handling is really critical,” adds Chin. That includes everything that happensfrom harvest until foods reach your home. When fruits and vegetables are atpeak ripeness and handled properly, the results can be both delicious andnutritious. But bruised, wilted, or overripe produce loses both appeal andnutrient value. Which of the following is a good reason to eat locally?It's good for the environment. Local food doesn't have to travel as far to arrive on your plate, so it helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to improving our carbon footprint. It benefits the local economy, including supporting local farmers and other producers.
Where does your food come from local vs Long Distance does it matter?While there's no clear definition of what's local, most shoppers agree that produce grown nearby is fresher than foods that travel long distances. Local foods can be more nutritious too.
Where does our food come from answers?Much of the food we eat comes from plants, trees, crops, bushes, leaves and sometimes even roots. The most obvious examples of the foods we source from plants are fruits and vegetables. All of the fruits and vegetables grow on plants. Another such example of food from plants are crops.
What are some advantages of using locally grown products quizlet?Locally grown produce cuts the cost of long transportation and thus uses less fossil fuel. Locally grown produce helps support the local economy.
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