Do you know where your food comes from?

Here at 24 Karrot, we believe it's important to know the independent and family farms who grow and harvest the produce we buy. After all, we're not only eating it ourselves...we're serving it to you! And we know all about the nourishing benefits eating locally and seasonally has to offer. So if you're new to the farm-to-table world, let's take a closer look at why it is so important to know from where your food comes from.

Nutrient Density

Local produce is picked at peak harvest (meaning it's allowed to ripen naturally), so it’s the most dense with nutrients. Since the plants receive their nutrients from the sun and soil, produce that is naturally ripened in the sun has optimal flavor and has higher levels of antioxidants. In fact, a study monitoring the vitamin C content of broccoli found that broccoli grown during its peak season had a higher vitamin C content than broccoli grown during its off season. So, not only are you getting a tastier head of broccoli, you're getting a heaping dose of vitamin C!

Food should be seasonal

Variety is the spice of life! Even if you're eating a lot of healthy foods, it's hard to get all the essential micronutrients and antioxidants your body needs to stay balanced. We strive to give you the most nourishing, nutrient dense foods and help align your eating habits with the Earth’s natural cycle. Cooking with the seasons follow the traditional schedule of planting and harvesting. Eating seasonally provides you with a variety of choices. The natural cycle of produce is designed to support our health while transitioning our bodies to provide a variety of nutrients and facilitating the body’s natural healing process. Living in tune with the natural rhythm of nature helps us to stay balanced and simplify our lives.

Flavorful

There are notable differences with a vegetable or fruit that has been manipulated with chemicals or one that’s been cultivated by the natural flow of Mother Nature. Have you ever eaten a ripe berry off the vine or eaten a freshly picked tomato? The flavors are much more vibrant and delicious than the one's from the grocery store in the middle of winter.

Food should be an experience

Knowing where and how your food is grown and harvested is empowering as a consumer. Eating shouldn’t be a fast, mindless action but rather an experience which nourishes the soul as well as the body. Improving the relationship people have with food can in turn improve the way people eat and their overall health. Buying fresh and cooking from scratch allows you to take back control of what you are putting into your body and can be a great activity for the whole family. Many farms will even let you visit! This can be a fun and educational experience for children and will develop their knowledge about agriculture and farming! Check out all the farms to we work with.

Environmentally Friendly

Eating local foods reduces the amount of energy needed to transport and store your food and thus reduces your carbon footprint. It's a no-brainer.

Interesting in supporting locally and eating seasonal produce? Check out our local offerings and CSA program

24 Karrot aggregates local produce for you from several farms to provide a CSA to the local community. There's no long-term commitment and you can order online. These products are freshly picked, responsibly grown, non-GMO, and often organically certified. CSA orders run through November 21, 2020. Pickups are on Saturdays after 2 p.m. at the Kitchen.

For more information on what 24 Karrot Kitchen has to offer, including mini-market items, take-home dinners, cooking classes, and nutrition counseling, head to our website, email us at 24kkitchen@gmail.com or call 440-630-9494