Local produce: good for you and your wallet
By Jill Moysiuk
Lance Writer
December 10, 2008
Have you ever been in the produce section of a grocery store and wondered how the exotic fruit got there in the middle of winter? The truth is much of the produce from around the world is picked unripe to make the long trips to our local grocers and many fruits and vegetables are chosen for shelf life and handling capabilities rather than for their flavour. When the produce has arrived it is generally sprayed with chemical ripening agents to soften them and turn them the right colour. To add, environmental issues that occur from industrialized agriculture are alarming. To start, the irrigation systems required to grow mass amounts of produce have huge quantities of salt in them causing major damage to the soil. As well, most produce is shipped by truck and cargo, whose long trips cause enormous amounts of air pollution. In fact, Canada’s agriculture is responsible for 12 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gases. Purchasing local produce can alleviate all of that. By purchasing locally, we can save our environment as well as our economy. As well, we can bring back personal interaction between community members that is lacking in a grocery store, while at the same time being aware of where exactly the produce that you are purchasing is coming from.
For students living near the University, finding a local market is easier than you may think. Try Fred’s Farm Fresh or Joseph’s Produce Store, both supplied by local farms and conveniently located on Windsor’s West End. Be advised, many popular local markets have their produce shipped in, so take the time to ask where the food that you are purchasing comes from.
Making the switch to purchasing locally can curb global warming and air pollution, support our local farmers all while enjoying seasonal produce.
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