Shopping locally can be a great way to add healthful foods to your diet while conserving natural resources. That’s why the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages everyone to “Go Further with Food” by choosing foods that are healthful to the environment and their bodies during National Nutrition Month®, celebrated each March.
Food purchased at farmers markets often is more affordable and tastes better than at commercial grocery stores because it is locally grown and naturally ripened. Buying locally grown food also helps conserve natural resources and has a minimal effect on the environment.
“Supporting local farmers markets enables us to produce healthful food today and for generations to come,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy spokesperson Libby Mills.
Plan ahead when you shop locally. Bring a shopping list and purchase foods you know how to prepare.
“Talk to your local farmers about less familiar fruits or vegetables,” encourages Mills. “They’ll usually be able to share how it’s grown, what it tastes like and several ways of preparing and serving the food.”
Try the following recipe from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Tram Le.