Eat Local, Eat Better!

The local food movement is usually thought of as a way to improve your health, and support your local economy. But there is a third increasingly important consequence of eating locally grown ingredients, reducing pollution and saving the environment. In a recent post on her New York Times blog “Well,” Tara Parker-Pope identifies the global and environmental attributes to eating locally grown veggies. Recently, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has embarked on a study of “the public health impact of moving toward a local, sustainable food system.” A food system where people are buying groceries originating “within 100 miles of their homes.” While no research claims that eating locally grown foods means you will absolutely be healthier, some of the undeniable benefits are:

• Greater variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables.
• Building a relationship with your grocers and local farmers.
• Less preservative rich foods will be a part of your diet.
• Less high-calorie, nutrient rich options to tempt you when you shop!

Tara Parker-Pope’s blog post is a good read for anyone who might need a little more motivation to start shopping local. Or better yet, planting their own garden! Gardening is a Blue Zones longevity all star activity, you know....

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