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Greening Your Environment Tip # 3 ~ Buy Locally

By Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Services for Real Estate Pros with Westbrook Realty

May 14, 2009 03:40 AM

~ THINK GLOBAL ~ BUY LOCAL ~

Everyone knows this one, right? Walk right past those fresh strawberries from

2000 miles away (as in South America)in your local grocery store (in January)

and go to the frozen foods section. It is likely the frozen strawberries were picked,

frozen at their peak, and do not suffer transportation time or lose nutrients from

freezing.

Better yet, buy from farmers and growers in your local region and freeze, can

or dry your own fruit and veggies.

I subscibe to the theory that the food grown in local soil has the ingredients

you need to thrive and be healthy. Fruits and vegetables from far away, do not.

They also cost a fortune in fuel and production to get to you.

mongo strawberry

Think about this the next time you want fresh raspberries in February. Be a "Green

Food Buyer "and buy from your local farmers, it is good for the environment and you.

If you think about preserving your own food, it isn't that difficult. It used to be a way

of life for our parents and grandparents. Even if you only can tomatoes, or peaches,

you are helping the local environment and the local farmers.

My friends and I have talked about having a "Canning Party." Many hands make

work go quickly and we could all benefit from the results. Those fresh canned peaches

taste pretty darn good on a cold winter evening.

Bos Farm Market Cascade MI

So in the interest of GOOD FOOD & LOCAL FARMERS, here is a list of LOCAL FARMS

in West Michigan that sell to the public: Grand Rapids Michigan Farm Markets

You can probably find your own local markets online in your area. State and

County extention offices are good places to look.

I have a small garden and today, we have asparagus and rhubarb available to

eat. The lettuce I planted 2 weeks ago is coming up, and I will be eagerly

awaiting the first strawberries at the local markets. (Mine are blooming but the

resident critters like them as much as we do)

asparagus growing

Yes, I know the asparagus bed needs weeding...on today's to-do list.

Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Real Estate

Photos of produce and Bos Farm Market by Bonnie Westbrook

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Terry & Bonnie Westbrook

Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI

Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

So instead of weeding you are blogging, cooking and taking care of me?

May 14, 2009 03:57 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Terry: That pretty much sums it up. Oh, yeah, the housework and laundry needs to be done, too.

Oh, shoot, I think I will just finish my book. The work will wait.

May 14, 2009 04:08 AM

Brenda Carus

Century 21 Zwygart Real Estate - Monroe, WI

Local all the way! The food tastes better, the impact is lower. Plus, every dollar spent with an independent business owner (and farmers are that) circulate in the community about 7x more than dollars spent with non-local chain stores. Go local!

Jun 10, 2009 11:20 AM

I always try to buy local, whether it is food, books, cars, whatever. I didn't know the stats for dollars spent locally, that is really great.

Jun 11, 2009 03:57 AM

Mike Hogan

The Hogan Group at Keller Williams Realty - Mechanicsville, VA

MBA

All great points Bonnie. Ive tried getting into canning...I used to watch my mom and grandma do it when I was a kid. My wife thinks Im a nut...

Jul 17, 2009 04:52 PM

David Helm

Helm Home Inspections - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham, Wa. Licensed Home Insp

Truly an important point. When we buy from chains, that hard earned dollar heads to somewhere else. Learned that while studying economics back in the 60s. There is an environmental cost to everything we use. It just makes sense to minimize it by buying locally. Sustainability includes the sustainability of communities.

Nov 17, 2009 02:10 AM

Mike: I used to can lots of produce, but it has tapered off the last few years. I really like those canned fruits and veggies in January and February.

David: So true. I doubt most people realize that purchasing items from the BIG BOX stores will put

their local farmers and neighbors out of work. Is it worth saving a few $ to wreck your local economy?

Nov 17, 2009 12:29 PM

Greening Your Environment Tip # 3 ~ Buy Locally

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