When it comes to sourcing the freshest, healthiest foods for you and your family, sometimes we forget how simple it is to get farm-fresh food and produce without going too far out of your way.  Fortunately, as more and more consumers are becoming more conscious of where their food comes from, more farmers and food producers are focusing on direct-to-consumer sales.

Here are some of our ways to get food fresh from the farm without the trip.

Look for Local

Many grocers are increasingly stocking local foods and labeling those foods for you to see not only where the food is coming from but how close it is to you.  Purchasing local foods does a number of things including reducing the carbon footprint of food transportation and stocking, making sure you have in-season food available, and supporting local farmers.

It’s important, however, to understand exactly what “local” means.  Many regional grocers will focus on foods produced within a certain radius while others will focus on even more confined geographic footprints.

Find a Farmer’s Market

There once was a day where farmer’s markets were mainstays of a community, but in recent years farmer’s markets have made a resurgence and given farmers and producers opportunities to get their products to market.  If you’re looking for a way to find more local foods, then find a farmer’s market in your area.

Check social media or search for farmer’s markets near you to find your closest farmer’s market.  In all likelihood, if you’re in a major city, finding a local farmer’s market shouldn’t be too difficult.  Smaller cities or rural communities may not have as many options which may require some searching on your part.

Shopping Simplicity

Grocery stores have largely eliminated the need to go to different food producers for different goods.  While major cities often still have butchers, bakers, and cheesemongers, big-box grocery stores have eliminated the need for shoppers to go to individual food producers.

Farmer’s markets and produce markets have mostly made the shopping experience for fresh, local foods just as simple as going to the grocery store.  Many farmers and producers have adapted to the way we purchase our goods by allowing some purchases to be made in advance or to purchase with cash or card.

Eat Something New

We often get into the same grocery buying habits as our grocery list remains mostly the same trip after trip; however, purchasing local foods from local farmers will give you an opportunity to try new foods.  Additionally, many shoppers won’t realize that many of the foods they buy throughout the year aren’t in season locally.

For this reason, your local farmers will have only in-season produce as growing out-of-season produce is nearly impossible.  Eating in-season foods will also naturally boost your immune system and make you healthier throughout the seasons.  All said you’ll likely have an opportunity to not only eat local foods but eat a variety of foods that you otherwise may not find in your grocery store.