During this snowy winter, I have had the opportunity to read some great books. The first one I read was Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. I can’t believe it took me so long to find out about it.
This book was actually perfect timing, since I was asked to blog about Locavores.
Barbara Kingsolver and her family moved from their home in Arizona to SW Virginia and made a decision to eat only the food that they grew or purchased from local farmers.
It is about eating in the seasons, supporting local farmers, even when it cost a little more. If we don’t support our local farmers and merchants, one day we will not have a choice.
Big chain stores and Factory Farms will be our only choice and they will not be cheap. We vote every time we make a purchase.
We have become accustomed to having strawberries shipped in all year round. Even if it is an organic strawberry, it was most likely picked green. So they have very little nutritional value not to mention the taste, or lack of taste. Did they spray the fruit? How does a strawberry last for several weeks?
When you buy local, your fruits and veggies are picked ripe and contain lots of antioxidants, enzymes and nutrients.
We are fortunate to have so many local farmers in the Roanoke Valley. So go visit the Farmers Market in your area, support a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), shop at your local stores that support our farmers. This will stimulate our local economy as well.
You can visit Local Harvest and sign up for an e-newsletter. They send out information on events happening in your area from local farmers and have great resources for all things local.
Thank you for supporting your local farms and community!
