You might have to move across the country every three(ish) years, but that doesn't mean you have to buy food that moves long distances. When your produce makes a cross-country trip to get to your kitchen, you have to wonder if any of its freshness and nutrients fell off the truck.
The best way to spare yourself from well-traveled produce is to shop local. Your local farmers market can show you what fresh produce, local fare and local people are all about.
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Eat healthier
One of your first outings after a move is likely to be in search of food — a military family’s got to eat, right? You have options: your commissary, and community grocery stores ranging from mom-and-pop operations and five-aisle shops to gigantic grocery store complexes with specialty restaurants and organic sections that would swallow up that little mom-and-pop across the street.
Before you pay for valet parking at the grocery store, remember that fresh food doesn’t have to be complicated. Did you notice your local farmers market? It might not have a flashy sign — it may be just a roadside stand or gathering place for local producers. Farmers markets are worth a pull-over because:
- You know the food's fresh. Most produce is brought to market within hours of being picked.
- You know you're getting nutrition to the max. Eating food grown close to home and recently harvested has many great health benefits. More time between the dirt to your mouth means more lost nutrients. Minimal transport means more bang for your bite.
- You'll meet the farmers. Curious about growing your own food? Wondering how in the world to slice a pineapple? Ask the experts — they might even share some tried-and-true recipes.
- You'll get to know your neighbors and your neighborhood. Mingle with the locals, especially with the military families who've been at your installation longer than you have. You can learn about upcoming community events and meet people with similar interests - talk about your one-stop shop.
- You'll do your part to save energy. Why waste resources buying coffee and bananas that are trucked across the country when you have local options?
- You'll shop local. Make every Saturday "Small Business Saturday." Shopping at farmers markets shows your support for small businesses in your community and helps make sure that local produce will continue to be available in the future.
Set your shopping expectations
When you're used to the convenience and inventory of a typical grocery store, farmers market shopping might take some getting used to. Remember that just because supermarkets stock all foods from all over from all growing seasons, it doesn't mean these foods are the best choices for freshness or nutrition. Rethink your grocery shopping expectations before you hit the farmers market:
- Eat seasonally. Farmers markets are seasonal. You might not be able to cure your winter craving for watermelon, but that's OK because a winter watermelon might be a little too heavy on the water and too light on the nutritious melon part.
- Eat regionally. If you're paying $10 for a pineapple, chances are you're paying for that pineapple's one and only cruise across the ocean (or road trip across the country). Skip it and take home a local treat. Instead of seeing this as being deprived of your favorite foods until it's time for another permanent change of station, take it as a chance to try new or unusual foods native to your new area.
- Try before you buy. Farmers are usually proud to share the delicious food they worked hard to prepare, just like you enjoy those rave reviews for the dish you brought to the last potluck.
- Shop around. Prices vary between the commissary, community grocery store and the farmers market. They may fluctuate thanks to supply and demand (that semester of economics was bound to come in handy sooner or later). Prices may even vary from one market vendor to another, so check prices before you pay up.
- Make it an experience. You probably don't look back fondly at the time you spent standing in line at the grocery store, but farmers markets can be fun, teachable moments for everyone in your military family. Use your farmers market as a classroom to teach your kids about nutritious food choices and where the foods come from.
- Make it a meal. Your local farmers market is a great place to buy local, fresh, healthy food for your family, and that can mean so much more than just produce. You can sometimes find ingredients for a full meal, like fresh cuts of meat, homemade baked goods, eggs, honey, juice, homemade jams, infused cooking oils and more.
- Choose health. If you're looking to improve your health and wellness, there's no better place to start than a farmers market. Plug those real ingredients you find during a day at the market into your new healthy lifestyle. A Military OneSource health and wellness coach can point you in the right direction and give you healthy eating tips.