What Local Means by Melissa Trevino

Melissa Trevino in her family kitchen with her Grandma, 2002

My first birthday party I truly remember was all about food. I dressed my friends and myself in crisp white aprons and little chef hats, and together we picked cherry tomatoes and basil, like little treasures, from the small garden I had begged my dad to build for me. Back in the kitchen, we gathered around the island, rolling dough for fresh pizzas and later making chocolate turtles for dessert.

My love for food has always been there. I’m in constant awe of the miracle of it all: the colors, the textures, the flavors that spring from the soil and somehow find their way to our tables to nourish us. As I’ve grown, so has my respect for the journey food takes.

These days, in a world full of big grocery stores, it’s so easy to forget about the care and hard work that goes into the food we eat. But when you wander through a farmers’ market, you get to meet the people who are actually planting, growing, and harvesting your food. You shake their hands, hear their stories, and suddenly dinner feels a little more special, because you know the time and love that went into your ingredients.

Another lovely perk of shopping locally is that it takes away some of the overwhelm. Instead of facing endless choices, you simply let the season guide you. Mother Nature has a way of telling us what’s best, whether it’s the sweet tomatoes in summer or crisp greens in the fall. The result? Fresher, more flavorful, and more nourishing food on your table.