You don’t have to be a gourmet cook to like the best tasting fruits and vegetables. I like the freshest produce, because they always yield the best flavor. Other people may look for fresh ingredients because they want to retain the most nutrients in their food or get food with the most nutrients possible. Some people may be concerned about supporting their local farmers and community supported agriculture to get the best ingredients. Still others are concerned about the earth, agriculture, or the health benefits of eating only what is grown seasonally and locally. Many people are concerned about the labor practices employed by large corporate farms that serve half the world. All of these are healthy ideas that will result in healthy cooking.

I don’t care what your reason is, but you should be concerned about where you food comes from. Whatever reason you choose, it’s easy to support local farmers by simply asking your local grocery store where your produce comes from.

If you are already shopping at your local farmers market, you probably already know where your food comes from, because you’re shaking the hand of the guy that pulled it from the ground. If you’re shopping at your mega-mart, start asking where your fruit and vegetables come from. Start examining the flavor, texture, and your enjoyment of produce grown locally and those brought from a large distribution house. You should be asking why you are sending your money to the international grower instead of to your local neighborhood. It’s difficult to deliver healthy ideas in your own kitchen if you can’t get healthy produce from your local market.

These are more questions to ask of Sandi Kronick of Eastern Carolina Organics. Eastern Carolina Organics has been in existence since 2004 and is dedicated to helping local farmers with quality control, business assistance and expanding the market for their locally grown family produce.

Local farmers are not subject to the same weather problems in other parts of the world. The huge fluctuations in price of produce that comes from a single corporate operation is called "Stock Market Pricing". This is when prices will climb or fall based on future yields or promise of good growing season. Local organizations like Eastern Carolina Organics can help with the supply and flow of food by partnering with the farmers who are also owners of Eastern Carolina Organics.

In the partnership between Eastern Carolina Organics and the local farmers, they can help each other to get the best food at the most fair price to the farmer and their customers and ensure that there is healthy cooking occurring in our homes. So, whether you attempt gourmet cooking or just want to bring healthy ideas into your kitchen, supporting your local farmers is a great place to start.