From Farm To Store To Table New England Grocery Retailer Focuses On Locally Grown Produce (NAPSA)—Good news for New England shoppers looking to feed their families locally grown produce and vegetables: A community-focused grocery store chain is once again partnering with independent and family farms to offer locally sourced produce. Stop & Shop, which has been serving custom- ers in New England for over 100 years, has partnered with more than 35 farm- ers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut to provide customers with a variety of the season’s freshest fruit and vegetables including corn, toma- toes, peppers, squash, cabbage, lettuce, Fresh, local produce can be on the farm today, on your table tomorrow. and yourtable, the less likely it is that nutrients will be lost. potatoes, eggplant, apples, pears and peaches. BuyLocal versity. In the modern agricultural sys- process of providing their stores with the freshest produce is expedited. Pro- ability to ripen uniformly, withstand harvesting, survive packing and last a By partnering with localfarmers, the 3. Local food preserves genetic di- tem, plant varieties are chosen for their duce is picked at the local farm, packed, long time on the shelf, so there is limited Stop & Shopstores. Very often, the pro- tion. Smaller local farms, in contrast, and is then ready for delivery to local duceis on shelves the very nextday after being picked. Each farm's nameis featured on store signage, making it easy for customers to know exactly where the produce was grown.“Tt’s all part of our commitment to providing customers with the freshest produce available,” said Jack Keane, di- rector of produce for Stop & Shop. “We genetic diversity in large-scale produc- often grow many different varieties of crops to provide a long harvest season, an array of colors and the bestflavors. 4. Local food supportslocal families. When you buy their produce, you help support the farmers andtheir families. 5. Local food benefits the environment and wildlife. Well-managed farms provide ecosystem services: They con- have been proudly partnering with local family-owned farms and independent farmers for decades” sequester carbon from the atmosphere. The farm environmentis a patchwork of As Dr. Vern Grubinger of the University of Vermontexplains, there are good reasonsfor buying locally grown food: 1. Local food tastes and looks better because the crops can be picked at ings that provide habitat for wildlife. 6. Local food is an investment in the future. By supporting local farmers today, you help ensure there will be farms in New England tomorrow. WhyEat Locally Grown? their peak. 2. Local food can be better for you. The shorter the time between the farm serve fertile soil, protect water sources and fields, meadows, woods, ponds and build- Learn More For further facts on enjoying locally grown food,visit www.stopandshop.com.
