Market Fresh?

It's Saturday morning. You’ve walked or biked over to your local farmer’s market, reusable tote in hand, ready to pick your way through fresh piles of herbs, veggies and artisanal cheeses. For you, creating a green home extends to everything you bring home—including your food, flowers and houseplants. Thank goodness all this is local. Or organic. Or wait…is it locally organic?

According to National Geographic’s Green Guide, lots of people are confused about their local market. As a consumer, you need to be a more active participant in the process. Instead of just showing up and filling your bag, check certifications. Ask the people who run the market whether all items sold must fall within a 200-mile radius (making them truly local) or come from grower-owned farms. It also helps if you know your fruits and veggies—you’ll find ample strawberries during the summer, but if you see them in December it’s a sign that they have been grown elsewhere and shipped. By asking just a few basic questions, you’ll be able to better decide what fits in to your green home lifestyle and what doesn’t.

[National Geographic Green Guide]