"Sustainable Food" - what's that all about?

I realize there may be some of you who read my blog that think 'I hardly have time to do much more than run through the grocery store isle so paying attention to organic, dirty dozen, nutrient dense, super foods and now sustainable foods is just over the top.'  But what the heck, knowledge is power and a trip to your local farmer's market might be a fun Saturday morning adventure.

Remember when grandma talked about canning seasonal foods so they could be enjoyed all year (or better so they could have food to eat all year.) Or maybe an episode of the Waltons?  A Martha Stewart cookbook? The point is we haven't always had food shipped to us from 3000 miles away. There's always a season for something somewhere in our global marketplace.  This global marketplace I speak of keeps me supplied with blueberries year round so I can't complain.  HOWEVER, this convenience is not the most sustainable or the most healthy.

By purchasing local foods in-season, you eliminate the environmental damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles, environment hazard of disposing the packaging required to ship,  your food dollar goes directly to the farmer and your family will be able to enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables. Local fruits and vegetables require less pesticides and chemicals because they don't have to survive the time it takes to package and ship long distances.  You can ask the local farmer questions about his processes,  like is it organic, do you use pesticides?  Here are a few links to local farmer's markets in and around Atlanta.

Chamblee Farmer's Market, Morningside Farmers Market, Atlanta State Farmer's Market

Now, of course, you'll find "seasonal"foods at these farmer's markets because well, they can't grow it out of season.  There's a whole train of thought in a macrobiotic diet that advocates eating only seasonal, local foods as it's what is best for our bodies.  While I might not want to limit myself to seasonal I absolutely want to know what's seasonal and add to my weekly shopping list! So here is a list of what's in season in Georgia now.

Apples
Corn
Cucumbers
Grapes
Pecans
Sweet Potatoes
Zucchini
Cabbage
Tomatoes

Any seasonal recipes out there you'd like to share?