Choose Local, Savor Life

Embrace the Flavorful World of Local Food

BACK IN THE EARLY ’70S, when I was just a kid, our family had this weekly tradition of going grocery shopping together. It was quite the adventure. We’d all squeeze into the car, drive to the supermarket for our dry goods, then swing by the butcher for some fresh meat and finally make our way to the fruit market for all our produce needs.

Those were the days before the rise of mammoth big-box stores. Most of the shops were still locally owned, and the food we bought was mostly sourced from nearby regions. It had a certain charm to it. Going shopping felt like being part of a tight-knit community. I can still recall the vivid memories of those small markets—the sights, the sounds, the smells.

I also remember eavesdropping on the conversations of the ladies from our church. Every spring, like clockwork, they’d start discussing who was going to grow what. I can still hear Mrs. Wilson saying, “Let Nancy grow the tomatoes. She grows the best ones in her yard!” Each lady had her own specialty, and they’d swap their bounties at the end of the season. They talked it out because they wanted the best produce.

It makes me wonder: Why do we not live that way anymore? It seems we’ve traded the quality of our food for convenience. Looking back, I don’t think we made a good deal.

When we used to purchase food from local sources, like the ones I grew up with, the quality was incomparable. The farmers took great care of their fields, resulting in produce that was grown in nutrient-rich soil. This meant that the food reached the market much quicker, ensuring its freshness and nutritional value.

From swapping nature’s ways for man-made systems to prioritizing convenience over nutrition, we’ve lost our sense of balance.

In contrast, today’s average supermarket overwhelms us with an astonishing array of over 47,000 products, constantly adding new items. Paradoxically, this abundance is narrowing down our sources. The dominance of big-box supermarkets means fewer owners, ranchers and farmers involved in the production process. Consequently, our food system becomes more vulnerable to various risks, lacking resilience and working against nature’s principles.

Take a moment to think about that juicy tomato from your backyard or the farmers market. It spends extra days on the vine, absorbing flavonoids, nutrients and minerals, which contribute to its distinct flavor and nutrient density.

From swapping nature’s ways for man-made systems to prioritizing convenience over nutrition, we’ve lost our sense of balance. We spend hours scrolling through social media but can’t find 10 minutes to nourish ourselves properly. Let’s break this cycle and make a new deal. Let’s embrace the local. Let’s indulge in the true flavors of life.

Chef Frank Turner is a lifelong chef and culinary wellness advocate. He is a former managing partner executive chef for the Matt Prentice Restaurant Group and currently a founding partner of Citizen Provisions—Microgreens and Specialty Picks.