Enjoy farm-to-table eating

It seems our nation is currently in a health-conscious state of mind. Celebrities are endorsing all types of fad diets, no-carb, gluten-free, vegan and no additives are all commonplace when speaking of nutrition.

When talking to vendors at the Statehouse Market, none of them participate in these types of dieting tricks. They believe in farm-to-table. This type of eating is not only nutritious, but also educational. When consumers have questions about how a product is farmed, they are able to ask the source if there are additives in the food, if the produce is organic, or if the pork they are buying is grass-fed.

Since these products are fresh, the nutritional value is at the highest. When buying fresh produce at grocery stores, the items could be up to three weeks old. When buying local fruits and vegetables they are picked within a few days time, sometimes even that day.

In addition to knowing what you are eating, this could be an opportunity for children to learn where food comes from: that carrots come from the ground, blueberries aren’t grown on trees, pickles are actually cucumbers or maybe they learn that the burger they had for dinner comes from a cow. They can learn what farmers do, how they know what’s ripe, how to pick produce and how farmers plant seeds.

A little trip to the farmers market or local farm not only allows you to choose what you are having for dinner that week, but also gives a fun, family activity. If weekdays work best for your family, the Statehouse Market is every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Your family can enjoy the fresh produce vendors or can enjoy a healthy lunch from one of the many food trucks that are at the market.