Nutrition Month: Eat Locally for Better Health and a Better Planet

                 Photo from 3.bp.blogspot

Have you been making an effort to “eat locally?” Lots of people are! Growing your own food or buying it from local farmers is good for you and the environment. Eating locally helps reduce greenhouse gasses created through mass production and distribution of food. It also helps you to eat fruits and vegetables that are in season, which taste better and can expand the variety of produce you eat. Here’s how you can make changes that will benefit your health and the planet:

• Join a CSA program. Community supported agriculture (CSA) allows you to buy a share from a nearby farm. CSA subscribers receive a weekly box of freshly-picked produce for a set fee. There are many farms that deliver food to locations right in Decatur. Visit localharvest.org/csa to find a location near you.
• Have a green thumb? Grow fruits and vegetables in your own backyard. If you don’t have the outdoor space, take advantage of the many community gardens in Decatur that you can rent for a small fee.
• Shop at local farmers markets. The Decatur Farmers Market operates year-round and only sells produce grown within 100 miles of Decatur. There is even a dietitian on-site to give you cooking ideas and tell you more about the participating farms. Visit cfmatl.org/decatur for hours and a list of vendors.