The Many Perks of Buying Local and Seasonal Produce

Nothing compares to the taste of a locally grown, juicy, vine-ripened heirloom tomato. Nothing at the supermarket can relate to meeting a passionate local farmer who is keen on the health of his or her soil. Sourcing fruits and vegetables from local farmers markets can be a game changer and key to a healthier, tastier and more sustainable lifestyle.

It was not long ago that a client asked me about the benefits of choosing locally grown food. Besides the most obvious, that local produce is fresher and tastier, there is a lot more to benefit from sourcing locally.

Produce from local farms have been picked within 24 hours of your purchase and come from no more than 100 miles away from where they are sold. This means that the produce remains longer on the vine, tree and ground and spends less time in transportation. Leading to better taste and higher nutritional value. When produce is picked at peak ripeness, it has higher concentrations of key nutrients like potassium and magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins C and A. 

During the transportation of non-locally grown fruits and vegetables, produce is exposed to air conditioning, artificial light and subject to temperature changes during long transference. Non-locally grown fruits and vegetables are also picked way in advance of peak ripeness so that they can sustain long transport and make it to the supermarket shelf without rotting. This decreases the foods nutritional value, content and taste.

In terms of sustainability, local food is better for the environment. Local food travels a shorter distance to get to you, producing fewer greenhouse emissions from truck exhausts and jet fuels. Buying from local farmers also means fewer chemicals on the produce you are eating and more micronutrient rich soils. On the other hand, commercial farming require tons of fertilizer to give the plants the nutrition they need, they also require tons of pesticides, fungicides and herbicides to kill anything and everything that could impede their growth. These chemicals seep into the produce we eat, into the local water we drink, and also damage our surrounding ecosystem.

So what are you waiting for? Below are three great local farmers markets within the vicinity of Palm Beach Florida.

Best, Alina de Almeida, RD

West Palm Beach GreenMarket

101 S Clematis St, West Palm Beach FL

B&V Market

4619 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach FL

Brothers Farmers Market

1937 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach FL