If someone told you there's a way to get food that's healthy, tasty and easy on the environment, would you check it out? Of course, and you easily can. Locally grown food delivers better flavor and more nutrients than supermarket offerings because it's much fresher. It hasn't been sitting for days on end, traveling hundreds or thousands of miles from a grove, field or pasture before arriving at your table.

Cutting out extended transport also minimizes the amount of fuel that's consumed and air pollution that's expelled along the way. It reduces the need for preservatives and lowers your consumption of added fats and sugars. And that's not all. Since food gets to the consumer so much faster, local farmers have the luxury of cultivating more delicate varieties with superior flavors. Buying local food also helps support local farmers and keeps your money within the community.

To help you get started, here are 5 tips for trying fresh, local food.

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2. Find a place to start. Commit to spending a set portion of your grocery budget, even just $10 a week, on local food.
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4. Make a gradual transition. Pick one new food each month to buy locally rather than at the supermarket.
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6. Get familiar with your sources. Stop at farmers markets and roadside stands, and feel free to inquire about how and where they grow their food.
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8. Look in your own garden. Expand an existing plot or start with your favorite varieties in a new garden.
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10. Keep it simple. Cooking a meal from scratch requires time. Save time by doubling your recipes to allow for leftovers.
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    These tips are adapted from the Mother Earth News article, 'How to Find the Best Food,' by Barbara Pleasant and Tabitha Alterman. Find more tips, helpful resources and fun local food events in the full article.