by  Clark Zimmerman, LAc.

There are many reasons to eat locally grown food.  Food that is grown locally is typically cheaper, fresher and more nutritious.  Since locally grown food doesn’t have to be shipped far, it takes less resources to get it to your table.  Another benefit to eating locally grown food is that is available during the season that it is grown.

Many traditional asian cultures talk of the importance of eating foods in the season that they are grown; China, Japan and India all mention the positive health effects of this practice.  As the world has become more intertwined, people have more access to a wider variety of foods.  Getting a banana in Minnesota in February, or a winter squash in Florida in the summer is as easy as going to the grocery store.  So, many of us don’t consider the fact that food only used to be available if it was grown and picked close to home.  While it is nice to have options with our food, sometimes we are missing some potential health benefits if we are eating food that is shipped from far away places out of season.  Food can even contribute to illness or disease if eaten in the wrong season.