Times are changing in the world of grocery shopping. Nearly a quarter of American buyers now purchase organic products once a week, which is a 17 percent increase since 2000. However, for health food connoisseurs, “local” is becoming the new “organic.” The trend toward locally grown produce is picking up speed in our city, where organic, earthy grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Central Market and the Wheatsville Food Co-op are frequented by Austinites. In addition, many Austin restaurants, such as Kerbey Lane, Wink, Vespaio and Zoot, help support local businesses by serving delicious produce grown locally.

The idea of “local” promises benefits like healthier bodies, a cleaner planet and an improved local economy. Although labels prompting us to “Eat Local” are becoming more visible in grocery stores, the benefits of making the switch are seldom explained.

“The average piece of produce travels 1,500 miles from farm to grocery stores and restaurants,” said Michael Steele of Steele Farms. “Therefore, it cannot be as fresh as locally grown food items. Buying local produce not only helps the local economy; it is also just a common sense decision.”

The Steele Farms tent was one of many I perused as I made my way around the Austin Farmers’ Market. Every Saturday and Wednesday, the market opens to the public, allowing people to browse through different tents that sell a wide variety of local products, from T-shirts and scarves to peppers, broccoli and pizza. At first, all of the stations seem overwhelming, but after walking around the entire market and carefully taking in my surroundings I began to get my bearings.

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stress_importance_of_buying_local