Buying local.

Buying local seems to be one of the key solutions to how people can make a change by doing their part for the world. According to a recent article on NPR, the local food market reported that they are selling $4.8 billion dollars of fruits and veggies a year. Not all of the sales come from local farmer's markets or stands, but from grocery stores and restaurants.it is important to not only be aware of where your food is coming from, but also to be conscience of the impact food purchases have in the world. Highways and mass production from food corporations allow food to be shipped from anywhere, and allow the consumers to gain access to the food from all over the country. This adds much pollution to the world. The trucks take their product thousands of miles from where it is produced. Produce is shipped to grocery stores from all over the world, even if it is not in season. On top of the added pollution and expenses it creates, the food needs to have injections and be literally created in labs to survive the trip. Food is often frozen for the travel, and then put out to thaw. Not only is the pollution hurting the world, but the food is now hurting the consumers bodies. Buying local means supporting local farms. Farmers markets are great places to engage with the community and purchase food from local farmers. By supporting the local farms, more money is put into their personal business, which allows them to produce more. Speaking with those who grow your food is important as it allows the consumer to really know what is put into their bodies. it is important for consumers to speak up because we are the ones who control the food market. Gluten free and organic foods can now be found within every grocery store. All natural healthy options are offered everywhere, but this does not mean we are becoming a healthier nation. We need to make the decision to eat better, buy local and be aware of where ur food comes from, and what exactly is in it.



Link to Allentown Farmers Market:
 http://www.fairgroundfarmersmkt.com/ 



http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/11/14/142306970/local-food-is-no-small-potatoes-farmers-rake-in-almost-5-billion