While shopping for food at a regional or national brand grocer may be convenient and consistent, I prefer to do the majority of my shopping at local produce and meat markets. Of course I’ll make the trip to my favorite chain store for staple items, but I like to scope the unique products carried at these smaller mom and pop shops. There are many benefits to shopping local and finding lower cost on produce is just one of them! Some women like to shop for clothes and shoes. I like to shop for uncommon produce, cheese and wine!
Living in the south, finding farm fresh produce is not difficult at any time of the year. The sunny, warm weather keeps summertime fruits and veggies growing pretty much year round. Although this modern day luxury keeps all of our favorite foods around all year, it sometimes shadows the wonderful variety of less common fruits and veggies. One of my favorite fall/winter produce items is the cassava squash. Similar to pumpkin, it has all the wonderful tastes and textures that I love in a squash. I personally feel like the cassava is more nutty and smooth in texture, perfect for roasting and blending into a soup. Most chain grocers won’t carry such products, but the local produce places will. Changing your produce will also change the nutrients that you consume and overall will add to a balanced diet and palate as well.
I also love the assortment of random specialty items that can be found in such stores. Local purveyors will most likely also carry other local producers items. My favorite item to seek out is local, raw honey. Not only is honey a natural antibacterial food, it also aids in adjusting to the local flora. When I lived in Tampa during undergrad I had terrible seasonal allergies with the springtime pollen in the area. I sought out one of these little local shops, found some honey and within a few weeks, my allergies were not as severe. You’ll also most likely find local makers of seasonings, condiments, and baked goods. I love supporting small businesses as they help keep artisan products available and support the people that make them.
Most importantly, these local shops also carry very unique varieties of cheeses and my favorite indulgence, wine! In my home town there is a store that has an amazing selection of wine and has by far the best prices around. The staff is very knowledgeable about the vintors and will help pick out a bottle for any occasion. More importantly, I can also find the perfect cheese to go along with it! Not only are there amazing finds of things to cook for dinner, but also bottles of wine to compliment the meal.
Shopping at different markets can help get you out of a food rut if you find yourself buying the same things over and over again. New environments will cause you to shop slower and really take a look at the products available. Exciting ingredients can also spark your creativity! Who knows what delicatible meals you’ll be able to create with the help of different ingredients at your fingertips!
Comments