We have had our backyard garden for almost a year, and it has completely changed our understanding and perspective on food. I enjoy learning about the importance of soil, planting unique varieties of vegetables that we have never eaten before, and spending time outdoors. It’s also become a great hobby for my husband and me to do with little ones underfoot.
More than Organic, It’s Sustainable
Until we started gardening, I hadn’t put much thought into how and where our food was sourced. I just knew that we should buy organic if we could afford it. But now that we have learned that buying locally grown foods is beneficial for our health, local farmers, and the environment, I will always look for opportunities to get our groceries from our local farmers. Especially if they are running a sustainable or regenerative farm, we support their efforts and will gladly buy from them.
There are so many benefits to buying locally sourced food!
- Locally grown food is full of flavor. When grown locally, the crops are picked at their peak of ripeness versus being harvested early to be shipped and distributed to your local retail store.
- Eating local food is eating seasonally. Even though we wish blueberries were grown year-round in Florida, the best time to eat them is when they can be purchased directly from a local grower. They are full of flavor and taste better than those available in the winter that had traveled thousands of miles and picked before they were ripe.
- Local food has more nutrients. Local food has a shorter time between harvest and your table, and it is less likely that the nutrient value has decreased. Food imported from far-away states and countries is often older, has traveled, and sits in distribution centers before it gets to your store.
- Local food supports the local economy. The money spent with local farmers and growers stays close to home and is reinvested with businesses and services in your community.
- Local food benefits the environment. By purchasing locally grown foods, you help maintain farmland and green and/or open space in your community.
- Local foods promote a safer food supply. The more steps between you and your food’s source, the more chances there are for contamination. Food grown in distant locations has the potential for food safety issues at harvesting, washing, shipping, and distribution.
- Local growers can tell you how the food was grown. You can ask what practices they use to raise and harvest the crops. When you know where your food comes from and who grew it, you know a lot more about that food.
Locally sourced meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy is also the way to go. Not only can this be better for your diet, but you will know how and where your goods were sourced. And in this day in age, that is super important.
Pensacola & Surrounding Area Farmers
The Palafox Market downtown Pensacola is an excellent opportunity to fill your fridge with locally sourced foods & support the local community. The market is open every Saturday from 9am to 2pm, rain or shine. I would suggest going earlier rather than later to get the best selection.
Maeday Farm
The goal of Maeday Farm is to produce fresh, local, and nutritious food (that’s also tasty) while improving the soil and teaching organic practices that promote regenerative agriculture. They grow over 50 varieties of 30 different crops on one acre and are USDA Certified Organic. If you cannot catch them at the Palafox Market, you can sign up for their seasonal CSA. We buy from their booth frequently, and everything we have purchased has been AMAZING.
Stewart Farms
A small farm from Alabama that grows non-GMO fruits and vegetables. Carl’s booth is usually stocked with a great variety!
Nature Nine Farms
Nature Nine Farms — Sustainable Organic Farming proudly uses sustainable farming practices in line with nature’s wisdom of balance, biodiversity, and regenerative nature to raise healthy and happy animals while restoring and building the fertility of the land. You can purchase your produce, eggs, chicken, pork, and more at the market, or you can shop their online store. We have purchased their eggs and bacon, and WOW. It was so delicious!
Sunset Ranch of Escambia Farms
Sunset Ranch of Escambia Farms allows their animals to use their innate abilities; they can enjoy life in their natural state. They graze, scratch, root, and live with nature every day of their lives. This stress-free environment allows them to forgo the routine administering of harmful antibiotics and medications to our animals. It also means that they are committed to never feeding our animals grain that has been genetically modified (GMOs). You can purchases eggs, poultry, and meat from their booth, or you can shop their store online. They have butcher box options so you can buy in bulk to save some money!
East Hill Edible Gardening
East Hill Edible Gardening is the booth to stop at if you want to try your hand at your own backyard garden. She has a wonderful variety of unique vegetables, herbs, and flowering plants. She also offers a gardening class that will teach you how to garden here in Florida. Our climate, our soils, our pests and diseases, and how to garden with less work. My husband and I are planning to take a class real soon!
Bailey’s Produce and Nursery
Bailey’s has been a part of the Pensacola community since 1938 and has a large brick-and-mortar store in the heart of town on N Davis Hwy. They stock a great variety of local produce, herbs, and garden plants. Bailey’s is a great option to get locally sourced produce any day of the week.
