October has us thinking about food: where it comes from and how it is grown, produced, and distributed.
For many of us, our knowledge of food is limited to what aisle it’s in at the grocery store. This lackadaisical approach to food is slowly killing us with heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, and other ailments that can be better controlled by diet than almost anything else.
So, where do you go if you want to buy healthy, fresh, locally sourced food? The prices of organic options are, on average, 68% higher than those of non-organic foods in the grocery store. Paying more may not be an option with the economy in its current state, so there must be another way.
Your FireWatch team has found two incredible ways to take control of your health through healthy eating. One of these ways may surprise you!
- Buy local at local farms
This option may require more of your time, but you will essentially cut out the middleman and buy your groceries straight from the farm. This is often referred to as “Farm to Fork” and can include produce, meats, eggs, dairy products, honey, and herbs.
You will provide yourself and your family with the freshest, most healthy food available and save money! Here are some local farms you can visit to help take control of your health and budget:
Meats & poultry – Visit Ferguson Farms in Durant/Plant City, Florida, to find Grass-fed Beef, Bison, Pastured Poultry, and Wild-Caught Seafood shipped right to your front door! www.fergusonfarms.farm.
Variety meats, poultry, dairy, baked good, produce & more – Meacham Urban Farm is a regenerative urban farm in downtown Tampa. At the farm store, you can find a wide variety of local organic goods. 1108 East Scott St. Tampa, FL 33602, www.meachamfarm.com.
Microgreens – Looking for a natural way to add sweetness and spiciness to your food? Try Microgreens. We found Glory Road Gardens in Lutz. 21509 Glory Rd. Lutz, FL 33549.
For a little bit of everything, including an onsite kitchen and bakery – At Fat Beet Farm Kitchen and Bakery, you can take a tour, shop the market, purchase a weekly farm box, and even enjoy a Sunday Yoga Class! 13830 W. Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL 33635. www.fatbeetfarm.com.
Resources
We really like the website www.FollowFreshFromFlorida.com, where you can sign up for a free account and find recipes, tips, tricks, and so much more to help you transition into your new healthy lifestyle.
- Become a farmer!
Did you know that, as a veteran, your experience and skill set can immediately and directly transfer to the field of agriculture? That is what USDA.gov wants you to know! The USDA.gov, New and Beginning Farmers are veterans who are part of the community of beginning farmers and are therefore eligible for programs to help start – and continue – a career in farming1.
Through the program, veterans can access capital, land, financial, educational, and training resources, and business planning support. Want to learn more, explore the idea, and get started? Visit www.Farmers.gov.
Additional information can be found at www.usda.gov/our-agency/initiatives/veterans/veterans-and-entrepreneurship.
Veterans Florida Agricultural Program
The Veterans Florida Agricultural Program is a six-month training fellowship that provides veterans and service members with a comprehensive, hands-on experience and equips them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be competitive for leading careers in Florida’s $149 billion agricultural industry2.
Learn More at www.veteransflorida.org/agriculture
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1 Source: https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/initiatives/veterans/veterans-and-entrepreneurship