What Foods Do You Buy Locally?

April 22, 2008

21 Comments

I buy local veggies and cheese all the time. I've just recently found a small farm (7 Bridges Farm, if anyone's from the greater Niagara area of New York) that raises all grain fed, free range livestock. It's a pain to get if you don't live nearby (you place orders online and then pick them up at a public market) but their meat is superb! Also, you get the satisfaction of supporting the community...it's the only way cost will ever drop on high quality organic foods!

mjane79 5 years 4 weeks

I try to buy as much local food as I can. I belong to a CSA in the summer, buy local meats and eggs at the health food store in town and buy what local cheese I can find. Fortunately, I live near this dairy called Fair Oaks Farm. It's a dairy that people can visit to see how one works. This means there is a large selection of cheeses made locally, from local dairy cows, in even the regular groceries here. I can't get everything local. I live in Indiana so my coffee is, of course, not local. My wine is local, though. There are a lot of wineries nearby so it's easy to get good wine from local grapes. I buy local honey and fruits and veggies from farmer's markets when they are open. For the person who said they don't have time to go to them because they work and have a family, a lot of places have them on the weekend. If that's the day you are off, maybe you could make it a family outing to go to the market and pick up local produce. Ours even has bakeries and local food vendors so you could make a nice outing. If you work weekends, one near me has a few vendors at a location a few times a week or maybe you could find one on your way home from work. :)

clickmichelle 5 years 4 weeks

You would think in FL we'd get good local produce and it would be easy to find, but you'd be wrong. The best solution I've found for me, I have organic produce and eggs delivered, at a price comparable to, if not less, than Whole Foods or Fresh Market. One of the goals of the service is to use locally grown as often as possible.

uptown_girl 5 years 4 weeks

CSA all the way. Meats, veggies, eggs.

ISUjules 5 years 4 weeks

I use local meats - I grew up on a cattle farm and still get beef from my parents. They do a lot of trading in the neighborhood so they have local poultry and pork as well which is great.

chiefdishwasher 5 years 4 weeks

I guess marijuana counts as a food if I am putting it in my brownies???

aimeeb 5 years 4 weeks

I don't have anything like this near me. :(

Babychloe 5 years 4 weeks

I'm going to grow my own tomatoes and strawberries this year. I also have a lemon tree and grow some of my own herbs. It doesnt' get more local than the backyard.

okmaebe 5 years 4 weeks

During growing season, I try to pick all my own produce, so I know it's local, fresh, and supports the local farms more than selling it to a middle man. I go to the local butcher shop when I have the time, and my baked goods all come from a vegan/green/gluten-free bakery, (and she buys most of her base products from an independent local health food store.) My three favorite restaurants are all local food only. They have such unique flavor, and the menu changes based on the season. Buying local makes a community stronger and richer, and keeps your body healthy with fresh food.

fuzzles 5 years 4 weeks

I love farmer's markets, and can't wait for the season to start! I'm also planning on growing a mini patio garden this summer...tomatoes, cukes, bell peppers and herbs. And of course, being in Minnesota it's pretty easy to find local meats and dairy products year round. They can be a little spendy though, especially if you want organic products.

ElizabethRae 5 years 4 weeks

I make sure to get local honey because I know it is good for allergies, but other than that I have no idea. I just started researching yesterday to find a local farmers market. I would much rather buy local stuff, but I won't bend over backwards for it.

susanec 5 years 4 weeks

I buy at the farmers market and also a lot of local meats, pastas, nut butters, dairy and other miscellaneous things that are readily available at the markets (traditional) here. Plus, many of the restaurants buy local.

sonnabobble 5 years 4 weeks

none, but only b/c i just moved and haven't gotten familiar with everything?!

Jude C 5 years 4 weeks

Fruit, mostly. I love the farmers' market.

lemuse20 5 years 4 weeks

Honey and corn on the cob! I have my own garden for other produce (like grapes, eggplant, strawberries, tomatos, ect). Mangos and citrus fruits can't be bought or grown locally here unfortunately :(

asilgrif 5 years 4 weeks

I buy as much as I can from the local farm stands. I'm not fanatical about it, but I think the quality of locally produced goods is superior to what you find in most supermarkets.

kia 5 years 4 weeks

You can look for local goods through localharvest.org ladolcevita and/or talk to your local grocer to ask for these goods Locally I have a share with a CSA (community supported agriculture) for veggies, eggs, and honey. I now have access to local fish, chicken, and beef. The meat will be pretty expensive but luckily my husband and I don't eat that much of it so it is an expense we can handle. I also garden. So that is definitely local.

mswender 5 years 4 weeks

I try to buy as much as I can locally, it is better for you and for the environment, also supporting your community is very important, but it is hard to get everything local due convenience and money.