With all of the corporate options available, it isn’t really necessary for anyone to “shop local” anymore. You can get all sorts of exotic flavours and colours at the large chain supermarkets. Before I share a fun recipe for ‘Farm Fresh Linguine and Tomato Sauce’, I want to first get you excited about the many benefits of shopping locally at the farmers market!
Fresh food is tasty
One of the most important benefits—local food tastes AH-MAY-ZING. There’s nothing like food that’s just a few days from your door. It’s fresh, full of nutrients and good for you—because it hasn’t spent several days ripening on a truck.
Reduce your carbon footprint
The large chain supermarkets *might* have that pineapple you’ve been looking for, but think about where it’s come from. It’s likely been on a plane or a truck for several days, and maybe it even ripened along the way. This creates a huge carbon footprint. At your local farmers market, you’ll find fruits and vegetables that are sourced locally, within a few kilometres of the store.
Support your local economy
At a very fundamental level, buying local means that your money stays in your community. It means that the taxes paid by the local producer or seller go into the coffers of your local municipality. It means that you’re supporting local parks, local community centres, and other activities—just by buying good food. And it means that those farmers and producers are able to spend more money in your community—multiplying the benefits of your spending.
There are world famous farmers markets across Canada, and not so famous markets right next door. Nip out and find one today—and you can make delicious recipes like the one below with delicious, locally sourced food.
Ingredients
- 12 oz. linguine
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium fresh, local onion, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves local garlic, minced
- 6 medium local garden tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup (50 mL) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp (25 mL) butter
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook linguine according to package directions.
- While linguine is cooking, heat vegetable oil at a medium heat in a medium-size frying pan.
- Once the oil is hot, sauté onion and garlic over medium heat until tender.
- Stir in tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper; heat through, about 3 minutes.
- When linguine is cooked drain well and stir in butter and grated Parmesan.
- Spoon linguine onto serving plates and top with tomato sauce.
- Sprinkle with parsley.
[…] fruit and vegetables are so much tastier than stuff that’s been stuck on a truck for days. Check out my post on Urban Green: Going to the Local Farmers Market on UrbanMommies! It’s even got a recipe to give you something to do with those fresh […]
I really needed this reminder. I am all about the large supermarkets, and I need to go to our local farmer’s market instead. Thank you for that push I needed! Can’t wait to try this recipe. It looks AMAZING.