When I was growing up, my family always had a large vegetable garden. Since my father was a teacher, he generally had more time in the summer to work in the garden. And I enjoyed helping him.
We also had relatives who lived on farms, whom we often visited and assisted with gardening and chores. So I had instilled in me a love of the outdoors and appreciation for nature and fresh food.
When our children were young, we had a fairly large vegetable garden in our backyard. Many of our relatives and friends were surprised at what good vegetable eaters our children were (and still are). I think that’s because there’s nothing like fresh brussels sprouts, carrots, beans, tomatoes — you name it — to make kids appreciate vegetables.
When we stopped having our own garden, we made trips to the farmers’ markets in Madison to obtain fresh vegetables. Many of our local stores also sell food from local growers.
It is important and healthier to buy local foods (defined as that grown 100 miles or less from the point of consumption).Here are some reasons found on the website https://foodrevolution.org
• Fresher food tastes better. When food is picked and eaten at the peak of freshness, it not only retains more nutrients, it also tastes better.
• Small, local farms offer more variety. Our industrial agricultural system uses a monocrop system. But smaller, organic farmers may grow a variety of organic and heirloom produce, which you might not find at the supermarket.
• Supporting local food aids your local economy. By choosing food produced locally, you’re supporting your community, and you help keep local producers in business.
• Local food creates community and connection. In our increasingly online and isolated world, getting to know your local growers and shopping or volunteering at a local farmer’s market, co-op, or community supported agriculture (CSA) creates connections.
As we sit down to our Thanksgiving dinner (hopefully with some food bought locally), we should thank God for the food we have received and those who grow it. We should also do what we can to support those local growers throughout the year.