Autumn is a great time to get outside and support local farmers and agricultural efforts, especially when you start thinking about the upcoming holiday dinners… Why not shop at your local farm stands and orchards for fresh produce now, and prep it to store and freeze for later? It’s the perfect time to gather fruit and gourds for pies! With lots of room in your new Atlantic Kia, you and your family can bring home quite the farmer’s market haul! From apple picking to pumpkin picking to Farmer’s Market finds, there’s plenty of space to pack in crates of goodies.
Here’s some great reasons to shop small at your local farms and markets. And then stick around for a list of great local businesses you can support this season! So, grab a cup of cider and let’s get going on four great reasons to shop small farms:
-
You’re getting the freshest produce around! Local farmers markets, farm stands, and produce stores will have vine ripe and orchard ready fruits and veggies picked at their peak freshness. That means you’re going to get the most out of your fruits and veggies from flavor to nutrition! Without the hassle of long-distance transportation, farm fresh produce gets picked in its prime instead of being forced to ripen on the road or other simulated ripening. Food isn’t waxed and sitting in crates or refrigerated for months, it’s grown in the sun and the rain and picked fresh that week (often daily!) Bonus points: find a pick your own farm or orchard and you too can take part in the harvest experience!
-
You are supporting local agriculture and business! Buy purchasing items from local markets, orchards, and farms, your dollars are directly supporting your own community right here at home. Small businesses and family owned-and-operated farms provide stable income and a boost to the economy for the area. It’s also a great draw and resource for tourism, which helps sustain the region through the tough winter overall, but especially the farmers when growing season is done! It’s a great way to connect with your community, and understand where your food comes from. It helps us understand the process of how food is grown, gathered, and shared with others, giving us a greater appreciation for our environment and local neighbourhood.
-
You’re investing in the environment and promoting sustainability. Shopping local means fewer greenhouse gas emissions from transportation of overseas produce. It also means less processing plants and facilities which use electricity, fuel, and more. Shopping at local farms helps reduce your personal carbon footprint, and provides farmers a sustainable form of income. The more small farms we have in the area, the less factory farming will have an impact on our atmosphere. Small farms also ensure better crop viability and more variety in seed and genetics, which is great for the environment!
-
Small farms have better control of animal welfare and are more humane than large scale factory operations. Your local farm may have lots of livestock, some of which you might even be able to feed, pet, ride, or visit with! In addition to being a whole lot of fun for your family, this also means the animals have a much happier, healthier life. Small scale farming means it’s easier to care for the animals and they’re able to eat fresh grass, roam around the grounds, have access to sunshine and fresh air and clean water, and even interact with one another. Happier animals are healthier animals, and that means the meat, eggs, cheese and other products will taste better too. Plus, less need for chemicals, mediations, and antibiotics from overpopulation and mistreatment like factory scale efforts. It’s good to shop small and help local farms and their furry or feathered friends, too.
On less than a tank of gas in your new Atlantic Hyundai, you can be well on your way to autumnal bliss at some of these great farms.
Here are some fantastic local farms you can shop at this Autumn:
