In-Season Produce: Markets near Walden at Chatham Center

Do you shop for your fresh food and produce locally? If not, you may want to give it some serious consideration. Although today’s global market allows us to buy foods grown almost anywhere in the world at any given time, this option is not the most sustainable.

Buying in-season fruits and vegetables that are locally grown helps to eliminate the environmental damage caused by shipping foods across the country – and in some cases – the world. Not only does your food dollar go directly to the farmers, but you’re able to enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh, better tasting, unprocessed produce. According to the National Resources Defense Council, in-season foods for the state of Georgia (and surrouning areas) include:

Blueberries Cabbage Carrots Greens Snap Beans Strawberries Vidalia Onions Yellow Squash Zucchini Asparagus (Tennessee) Bananas (Florida) Broccoli (Florida, North Carolina) Cantaloupe (Florida) Cauliflower (Florida) Celery (Florida) Chinese Cabbage (Florida) Collards (Tennessee) Cucumber (Florida) Eggplant (Florida) Endive (Florida) Escarole (Florida) Gourds (Tennessee) Grapefruit (Florida) Herbs (Tennessee) Honey (Tennessee) Honeydew Melon (Florida) Indian Corn (Tennessee) Kumquat (Florida)

Leafy greens (North Carolina) Limes (Florida) Mamey Sapote (Florida) Mixed Greens (South Carolina) Mushrooms (Florida, Tennessee) Okra (Florida) Onions (Florida) Oranges (Florida) Papaya (Florida) Peanuts (North Carolina) Pecans* (Alabama) Peppers (Florida) Potatoes (Florida) Radishes (Florida) Scallions (South Carolina) Squash* (Alabama, Florida) Sweet Corn (Florida) Sweet Potatoes * (Alabama, North Carolina) Tangelos (Florida) Tangerines (Florida) Tomatoes (Florida) Watermelon (Florida)

Here is a short list of markets that sell fresh locally grown foods near the Walden at Chatham Center area. If you can suggest any other markets, leave a comment and let the community know!

Markets near Walden at Chatham Center

Going Green: Get off junk mail lists

Check out these simple environment friendly tips courtesy of the Divine Caroline website…

• Get off junk mail lists. GreenDimes can get you started. They’ll even plant a tree for you!
• Buy products that use recyclable materials whenever possible.
• If you use plastic grocery bags, recycle them for doggie poop bags or for small trashcan liners.
• Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Given a choice between plastic and paper, opt for paper.
• Buy locally. Find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food near you at LocalHarvest.

Fogelman Management Group is focused on spreading the word about Going Green, a term that signifies the social movement towards environmental conservation, protection and improvement. It’s all about making simple lifestyle choices that will lessen our negative impact on the Earth. Making and using home products with organic materials is just one way to we can make a difference.

Stay tuned to the Walden at Chatham Center blog throughout the month of April for more tips on how you can play your part.

Recycling Your Old Mattress

Most apartment communities have trash compactors and or dumpsters throughout the community.  When you move-in or decide that it is time for a new mattress, you tend to take that mattress to one of those two places.  However, this is not good for the environment.

If you leave your mattress by the dumpster, not only is it unsightly but it is not good for the environment.  Waste companies are not required to separate trash and recyclables.  Therefore, they get taken to the landfill, where they take up lots of space and sometimes damage landfill machinery.

About 90 percent of material in mattresses can be recycled. So, donate your old mattress to a thrift store, the goodwill, or take it to recycling center that accepts mattresses.

For more on this article and locations.