Changing your behavior around food, even just a little bit, can help you save money and get healthier.
- Be conscious of where your food is coming from. If you’re not sure, just ask. Chances are, if it came from close by, it’s fresher, more nutritious, and cost less in burning fossil fuels to get it to you. If it’s in season, it’s probably even cheaper.
- Shop at your local farmer’s market. Food with no packaging is usually the healthiest food.
- Grow your own food. See our recommendations for the best low-maintenance plants for your region. Be reasonable, and plant only as much as you think you have time to take care of – even one tomato plant will produce beautiful, ripe treasures.
Remember that the freshest and healthiest is not necessarily the most expensive. While the big fancy grocery chains consistently have more information posted about organic vs conventional and where food is produced, the farmer’s market can often beat out both freshness and price. Farmers will almost always volunteer the location of their farm and their practices with pesticides – just ask, and don’t be afraid to shop around for the best-looking product and most honest sounding vendor. You can be sure the seller also has great ideas for how to prepare pretty much anything they have.
