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Eating Local...

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Bell - Windermere Peninsula Properties

Pike Place Market by mprivoro.

This is a picture from Seattle's Pike Place Market. They have a great selection of local produce, fresh fish and a wonderful array of art, as well as a lot of unique off the wall shops.

Eating local from marketplaces such as these can be a lot of fun. They offer such a variety that you can be very creative when designing a menu and you may even find an opportunity to try something you have never had before.

Another benefit to shopping at a local market- such as a farmers market is the amount of time your food travels to get to the location. Some grocery stores have produce that is shipped anywhere from 1,200 to 2,500 miles before it reaches you.

While some chains pride themselves on shopping with the local farmers, not all of them subscribe to this idea.

How far do you like your food to travel on a hot day?

Some would say that locally grown produce tastes better, has less chemicals used during the growing process and is a great way to support your neighborhood farmer.

Where is your favorite place to shop?

Here is a link to fresh food near you!

Comments (11)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I love local produce.  Even my supermarket, Harris Teeter, carries local farmer's produce when in season.  It's not as pretty as the trucked in or imported but tastes better.

 

Feb 07, 2009 07:26 AM
LYDIA LAMOREUX
ZipRealty - Volente, TX

Almost always, local is better, cheaper, and most important of all, fresher. Case in point, would Georgia peach be sweeter in Ohio where it's been traveling a couple of days or in Georgia straight from the peach farm?

Feb 07, 2009 07:32 AM
Sean Carroll
The Get Off Your A$$ Academy - Manhattan, NY
Real Estate Speaker and "Expert" Coach

Love that market! I went to Seattle in 2002, and really want to go back to visit. Your local restaurant, markets, and overall social scene is vibrant, and fantastic. Maybe its all the coffee shops??? ;)

Feb 07, 2009 07:35 AM
Diane Parker
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty - Wilmington, NC

Pike's Place Market was one of my favorite Seattle memories.  The fresh flowers were incredible.  We had the pleasure of visiting on our way back from Victoria BC. 

Feb 07, 2009 07:42 AM
Jo Olson
HOMEFRONT Realty - Kettle Falls, WA
Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt

Richard, nice photo. I havent' been to Pikes for a couple of years and I need to get over there!  I love that place.  You know that eating local also means eating "green" - transportation of products has a huge carbon footprint :)

Feb 07, 2009 08:16 AM
Michael A. Caruso
Surterre Properties - Laguna Niguel, CA

Hi Richard,

What a colorful photo! It certainly seems like a great place to pick up some fresh produce! Sadly, they don't have too many outdoor markets in our neck of the woods.

Don't forget me if you learn of anyone moving to "The OC!"

Michael

949.753.7900

Feb 07, 2009 08:24 AM
Dinah Lee Griffey
Windermere Peninsula Properties - Allyn, WA
Managing Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties

Richard- I love to shop at Jose's friut stand in Belfair. He carries a great variety and he has good prices. We buy there whenever we can-Dinah Lee

Feb 07, 2009 08:32 AM
Vern Eaton
Askov, MN
Realtor 651-674-7449

I can't wait to get my garden in and see the road side stands in my area!

Feb 07, 2009 09:12 AM
TIM MONCRIEF
Tim Monciref - Austin, TX
Over 2,000 homes sold…..

It is a tough decision between Pikes Market and Whole Food's store in downtown Austin.  It is an amazing grocery store of stores. I will put Harrods grocery in London in third place.  The ocean at Pikes is tough to beat. 

Feb 07, 2009 09:13 AM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

No place around here, haven't had much luck with my own veggie garden, but will try one more time.  Pikes market is a great place to go.  Great post by the way!

Feb 13, 2009 02:47 PM
Lynn Johnson
Coldwell Banker Home Connection - Owatonna, MN
Owatonna, MN Real Estate

What a great photo - it made my mouth water.  I've got to get to the local farmer's market this summer.  We can also buy a share from a local farmer that entitles buyers to receive a certain amount of fresh veggies, fruits and eggs throughout the summer.

Feb 17, 2009 03:25 PM