A Fast Food Nation No More

With a fast food chain on almost every corner and factory farms controlling the ingredients they use, people everywhere are looking to dining alternatives that won't poison their bodies...or the earth. This is your source for all things local, healthy and delicious in Gainesville, Fl.

A closer look at living local, why do it?

Joe Aldes is no newcomer to the farming business. His family has been growing blueberries in Alachua County for over three generations. He recently decided to go organic and became the first organic blueberry farmer in his family.

"I hope that others follow in my footsteps. Farming organically has many complications but the benefits far outway the costs on this one." He said. I had a chance to sit down with Aldes and ask him what his thoughts were on eating locally and if he could give some good reasons to do it. We came up with these:

It's tasty

Unlike supermarkets, almost all produce at farmers' markets have been picked within 24 hours. You're getting fresh, ripe, full-flavored food that's close to home and has been especially selected for that day.

You are in power

When you buy food at a supermarket you have no idea where it came from or what it went through to get there. When you buy from farmers' markets you can build relationships with the farmers themselves and no exactly where and who your food is coming from.

Discover new foods

Buying local means you are eating food that is native to your particular region. This can open your palate to different flavors and ingredients you never thought to use before.

Help yourself

Supporting local markets means you are actually supporting your local economy. The money spent at local businesses is reinvested in the local economy at a rate twice as fast as money spent at a supermarket chain, according to a British study.