This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Five Reasons To Buy Local Produce

There is a push nationwide to buy and eat local.

Take a bite out of your community. There is a push nationwide to buy and eat local. And with so many farms so close to Upper Macungie, it’s easier than you think. I spoke with Gayle Ganser of Eagle Point Farm Market in Trexlertown to get five reasons to buy local.

Taste is Tops: If you’ve ever eaten corn on the cob right off the stalk or a peach right from the tree, you’ll notice it tastes a lot different than the produce you buy at the store. That’s because there are two kinds of seeds for fruits and veggies: shipping quality and local quality. “We only use local quality seeds. Shipping quality produce is firmer and does not have as much taste. That’s because it has to last a long haul. When you eat local, you eat produce at its peak because it’s sold as soon as it’s picked,” says Ganser.

Boost the Local Economy: Local growers are friends, family, and neighbors, not big corporations. All of the money you spend buying local stays in your community. It helps families in our area continue to be able to run their farms. Eagle Point Farm has been in business for 31 years.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Vitamin Value: “Locally-grown fruits and veggies are more nutritious than what you’d buy at the grocery store,” says Ganser. That’s because the time it takes for local produce to get from the soil to your stomach is very small. Growers pick their product daily and only sell fresh fruits and veggies. Big companies typically pick their produce when it’s still green. It ripens on the long journey to the store, losing many nutrients along the way.

Preserve the Past: Farming culture is a big part of Pennsylvania, especially in our area. Buying local helps keep these farms in business. With so many new stores popping up, it’s easy for the little guys to lose out. So by putting your dollars into your community, you’re helping to keep local farms afloat and preserve the agricultural history of our area.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

The Overall Experience: Trips to local farmers markets are a fun time. There is always tons of fresh fruits and veggies to check out, and many places also make their own sweet treats. From homemade pies and cakes to jams and jellies, you can pick up lots of goodies along the way. In the fall, keep an eye out for pumpkin patches and corn mazes at your favorite local food stand.

Make sure to mark your calendar for Sept. 25 for a fundraiser for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local. Ganser says all of the dishes served at Melt at the Promenade Shoppes in Saucon Valley that day will be made with local ingredients.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?