Pears from Portugal
Plums from South Africa
Carrots from Scotland
Tomatoes from Kent, England
Mushrooms from Ireland – Corn from Senegal, Africa
No matter what country we travel to, one of our first stops is the grocery store. Not only is it fun to see what the locals eat, but it’s also pretty cool to see how much an item costs.
One of the really neat things they do in the UK is print the country of origin on the package of fruits and vegetables. I find this fascinating. If stores in the US A printed where the food was imported from in a prominent place on a package, I’d bet people would be more encourage people to buy in season, and who knows, maybe even take a trip to their local Farmer’s Market.
What do YOU think?
~Mavis
SHARE:
Mari says
In season and local as far as possible for me. But things like coffee and tea hve to travel to get to us. I am very wary as to what country things are imported from tho. Some countries are a no no on my shopping list.
Tessa says
Sometimes here the little produce sticker with the code number on it says where the produce is from. Our stores also make a big deal of letting you know where the local produce is. They have very distinct signs that denote a local item versus a non local item. I agree though with hitting the farmers market first. The pickings are slim here where I am in New England but it is still so worth it.
Debby says
Our Senior Girl Scout troop are members of the local 4-h. It is at a farm where they grow and sell vegetables. When working on some badges and a journey last year, one of their requirements was to understand where their food comes from. I was amazed at the distance some of the foods traveled. They have lead workshops to teach younger children the oppertunites in 4-h. They also plan a badge workshop on gardening in the spring. Of course, one of the lessons planned is knowing the origin of vegetables currently in the markets. Four of our girls earned their Silver Awards that included workshops for younger scouts. At least two girls are planning their Gold project around gardening.
suzanne says
My first thought. Wow, thats a lot of plastic.
Carmen says
Suzanne – yes, it is a lot of plastic. Thankfully, you can also buy all those items loose as I do (they’re from Sainsburys, one of our main supermarkets in the UK, where I do the bulk of my grocery shopping, though typically online.)
Is online grocery shopping common in the US?
Susie says
Carmen, I’m not sure if online grocery shopping for everyday groceries is common anywhere else in the US (I’ve never heard too much about it, except as a “luxury service”), but here in Florida, no. Do you order your regular groceries (bread, milk, butter, vegetables, meats) online and….then what? Have them delivered? Or do you pick them up? Very curious about it, because I’m sure if it’s popular & successful in the UK, there’s a good chance it will become so here.
Michelle says
When I went to Belgium I enjoyed walking through the stores and seeing what they had going on. I liked the bread slicing machines at one local market. The bread was sold in loaves and you sliced right before purchase. I also got a kick out of the fresh fruit stickers…so interesting to see produce that wasn’t from Mexico.
Cecily says
Have you heard of the 100 mile challenge? It is a Food Network Canada program where, for 100 days, the people attempt to eat only food that has been raised, grown and produced within a 100 mile radius of the city in which they live. Interesting and enlightening. Could you do it?