My passion in healthy diet does not stop at eating whole grain, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. I have been doing research on the benefit of eating seasonal foods grown by local farms, within 500 miles radius. Here are ten reasons why we should check out our local farmer markets and eat fresh:

1. Local food tastes and looks better - crops sold near your home are picked at their peak and sold within 24 hours of harvesting
2. Local food is fresh - the shorter the distance between the farm and your dinner table, the less likely the nutrients of the foods would get lost during shipping
3. Local food is safe - with issues such as contaminated poultry from foreign countries, you would be assured to buy fresh and safe products directly from the owner of the farms
4. Local food supports local families - purchase foods directly from local farmers will help farmers get full retail price, which will support their great farming business
5. Local food creates community - knowing the farmers within your vicinity will help you get to know your surroudings and build relationships with growers
6. Local food keeps the environment green - the more you support and purchase local farm products, farmers will be able to sustain their business and not sell their lands for development
7. Local food keeps taxes down - buying food directly from local farmers will keep the cost of services down, which will help cut taxes imposed by the government.
8. Local food protects the wildlife - by practicing proper farming techniques, farms enrich the fields that provide essential habitat for wildlife
9. Local food is an investment for the future - buying locally grown food helps preserve the character of a community
10. Local food preserves genetic diversity - industrial agriculture leaves us with little diversity in food while smaller local farms provide us a wide array of seasonal products.