What does eating Farm to Table mean? It’s simply refers to sourcing your food directly from a farmer or artisan instead of from a middle man or grocery store. The closer you get to eating farm to table – the closer you are to your food source and that can give you a strong connection to your community and a sense of security when it comes to feeding your family. The benefits of eating Farm To Table are plentiful. Here are a few great reasons to get your food directly from the producer.
Benefits of sourcing local food:
- Better Prices – There is no middle man (Grocery Store)
- Buying directly from farmers means that you will be more value for your money.
- A larger share of the money you spend on locally grown food pays for the quality, freshness, taste and nutrition density of the food rather than the cost of getting the food to you (packaging and transport).
- Fresh – usually within 1-2 days from picking/harvesting
- When it comes to produce such as fruits, vegetables and mushrooms from your local farmer you can be sure they aren’t stored, preserved or picked prematurely. Harvesting at peak ripening optimizes both taste, flavor and nutritional content.
- Taste – huge difference in eating quality, flavor, texture, varieties, etc.
- This is because vegetables are able to fully mature before they are harvested, allowing them to use key nutrients and obtain flavor that is otherwise gone.
- Increased Nutrient Density
- Fresh food has higher nutrient content
- Many varieties of fruits and vegetables found in grocery stores are bred to be suitable for travelling long distances – not for nutritional quality & flavor
- Farmers who sell to their neighbors and community often select varieties that offer better nutritional qualities rather than the qualities demanded by mass production markets
- Produce such as broccoli, green beans, kale, red peppers, tomatoes, apricots and peaches are susceptible to nutrient loss when harvested and transported from longer distances over longer periods of time, while those that are heartier such as apples, oranges, grapefruit and carrots keep their nutrients even if they travel long distances.
- “Greener” for the environment – less packaging & freight means less non-renewable resources required
- Fewer chemicals
- When you buy direct from your farmer you can talk to them about their production practices. You can’t do that at a grocery store! They often don’t even know which COUNTRY it comes from!
- Local, independent farms use fewer chemicals than large industrial farms.
- Most small farmers do not use GMO seeds, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. If they do they are usually transparent about it. FoodGenie strives to list farmers who DO NOT use GMO seeds or pesticides.
- No Irradiation
- Irradiation is a preservation technology used to KILL micro organisms in foods to “make food safer” and extend shelf life of food. It inactivates the enzymes, reducing the food spoiling and microbial growth rate. Hmmmm??? …foods have enzymes and microbes for a reason – they actually help us digest them and obtain valuable nutrients from the food.
- Non-organic fruits, vegetables and grains get irradiated before crossing borders. Local and organic produce does not cross borders or get irradiated…We think that’s a BIG DEAL!
- Supports your Community and Neighbors – keep $ in community instead of it going to an international corporation
- End of season deals for bulk (beets, kale, potatoes, corn, etc)
- Developing a relationship with your local farmers gives you the opportunity to be the first to save on BULK deals at certain times of year.
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Keep pesticides to a minimum
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Local independent farms use fewer chemicals than large industrial farms.
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Know your farmer
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Knowing where your food comes from allows you to make informed and responsible food choices.
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Local independent farms are more efficient
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They typically produce more food per acre of land than large industrial farms and make better use of their available resources.
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Local farms don’t draw down tax dollars
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The bulk of public subsidies are paid to large industrial agricultural producers – not small farms.
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Local farmers create jobs
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Local independent farmers provide jobs to local people, and help support local small businesses by buying goods and services from their own communities.
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Local farmers treat their workers with care
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Farm workers are treated with respect, receive a fair wage, and work in a safe environment.
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