How to Stock Your Kitchen with the Freshest Food

Do you know where your food comes from? Let’s dig in, and learn how to find the freshest food for your kitchen!

I grew up on an almond farm, and I’m no stranger to what it’s like to pick a fruit or nut off the tree and take a fresh, vibrant bite.

It doesn’t get any better than that freshness, that incredible taste, and the knowledge that what you’re eating is straight from the source.

But I also know that I’m in the minority having grown up in agriculture, and that many families are far removed from the places where their food is actually grown.

So let’s talk about it! Where does our food come from, and how can we find the freshest food no matter where we are?

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Knowing Where Your Food Comes From

I recently had the chance to tour a handful of farms in Southern California, and meet the families and farmers who run them.

We did everything from picking lemons, to pollinating date trees, to pulling carrots and radishes right out of the ground and testing the flavor.

And the two most common things that every single farmer agreed on?

First, they want us to support the agriculture that’s local to us. To seek out and buy the produce that’s nearby, because that means that they can give us the freshest food possible.

And secondly, they are always striving to be good stewards of the water that they use to grow crops. An unimaginable amount of thought and energy goes into capturing every drop and using it wisely. Water is recaptured, reused, and recycled in every way possible.

And all of this work, and thought, and effort, results in the food that feeds us all!

What Do Farmers Really Do?

Obviously we all want to be able to walk into a market and grab the lettuce or the apples that we need to feed ourselves and our families. We want that produce to be fresh and affordable.

But do you ever think about how that produce was grown?

The food we eat isn’t an accident, and it doesn’t grow on its own.

Every single piece of produce you buy has a story — the farmer who planned the field and the planting, the people who planted the seed, the team that tended and watered it, the ones who harvested and packed it, and the ones who transported it to you.

And when you buy local, it’s likely that your food was still hanging on a tree or planted in the grown just hours before you purchase it.

Different Ways to Buy Local

Local can mean many different things! I live in California, where agriculture is abundant and we feed much of the country with our crops.

But even if you’re not near an agricultural hub, there are lots of ways to consider where your food comes from.

Shop Seasonal

Firstly, consider the produce that’s in season when you’re shopping! In the summer, look for things like stone fruit, melon, summer squash, and so on.

During winter, focus on citrus, sweet potatoes, pears, and more.

Buying seasonally helps ensure that you’re supporting the crops that grow best during that time of year; it also helps ensure that your produce is top notch.

Big Picture: Look on the Label

The next step is to check out the labels on your food at the grocery store. Produce packaging often has labels that list the state or city of origin.

Looking for a place that’s near you means that you’re supporting local agriculture and that the fruit or vegetable you’re holding probably took less time to get to you.

Even Better: Farmer’s Markets

If you’re lucky enough to live near a farmer’s market, take some time to stroll through the stalls and shop!

What you’ll find at a farmer’s market is often from smaller farms but almost always hyper-local, meaning that it’s about as fresh as it gets.

Food that Comes to You: CSA Boxes

Another great way to stock your kitchen? CSA boxes or subscriptions.

Do a quick search for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program in your area. You can subscribe to a service which provides a box of farm-fresh products (produce, or even eggs and other products, depending on the service) every week during the farming season.

Sometimes they’re even delivered to your door, which is an extra bonus!