For Better Health THE NEWTOWN BEE, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
Adam Roytman at the Newtown Farmer’s Market in September. Roytman represents Jackalope Organic Seeds & Sprouts. Roytman said his microgreens and sprouts offer more nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants than found in mature vegetables. —Bee Photos, Hutchison
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Ian Appleby, of Down To Earth Apiaries, stands with his Newtown Farmer’s Market display of honey sourced locally through his family’s beekeeping. Local honey provides health benefits, including fending off allergies.
Jim Shortt stocks his farm stand with corn. Shortt notes that corn and tomatoes have been go-to veggies for people but that leafy greens are becoming more popular when it comes to eating healthily.
Healthy Eating: Organic Veggies And Locally Sourced Honey Boosts Immunity And Fights Viruses By Andy Hutchison One way to improve or maintain good health is eating healthily, and locally grown vegetables and sourced-honey are things to consider. “You are what you eat,” said Jim Shortt, owner of Shortt’s Farm & Garden Center, while manning his stand — loaded with fresh, colorful farm grown offerings — at the Newtown Farmer’s Market at Fairfield Hills on a September afternoon. In addition to a variety of delicious-looking (and tasting) tomatoes — many varieties, red, yellow, pink, big and small — there were leafy greens and root vegetables that Shortt says are becoming more mainstream as people try to pay more attention to what they are putting in their bodies. “You can definitely see a trend change. It used to be tomatoes and corn, tomatoes and corn,” said Shortt, adding that there has been a stronger interest in kale, arugula, cabbage, beets, and other healthy vegetables. “It was always mainstream but you couldn’t get people to eat much of it.” Sure, food shoppers can load up the cart at any local grocery store but local organic options have more health benefits than store produce, according to a 2021 Hartford
in the winter months, Roytman said. Among his offerings is a Super Food Blend that includes kale, broccoli, arugula, and red cabbage. Roytman said that his products boost immune systems and are known for fighting off infections and diseases, even cancer. “They’re some of the most nutrient-dense vegetables you can put in your body. They cleanse your body,” he said. “They’re insanely healthy,” said Roytman, adding that microgreens and sprouts have 40 times the nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants than found in mature vegetables. “Throughout flu season, if you’re munching on sprouts, you’re good,” Roytman added. He is a chef at Nouveau Monde, 6 Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook, and uses some of his greens in his cooking at the restaurant. Visit jackalopeseeds.com for information.
HealthCare Article “Why Local Produce Is Better For You Than Store-Bought Produce” on the website hartfordhealthcare. org. In the article: “Grocery store produce often has to travel thousands of miles,” said Shannon Haynes, a registered dietician who works at Backus Hospital (in Norwich). “The longer it takes to go from the farm to your table, the more their nutrients deteriorate. All the water-soluble vitamins like C and B6 are temperamental. When you buy fruits and vegetables from a local farm, they have a lot more vitamins and nutrients.” Visit shorttsfarmandgarden.com for information. Flu Combatants Adam Roytman, owner of Newtown-based Jackalope Organic Seeds & Sprouts, was on hand at the Farmer’s Market selling his microgreens, sprouting kits, herb and vegetable seeds, and indoor growing kits. A range of seed packets and starter kits that run from about $18 to $30 were on display at the farmer’s market. The indoor kit seeds do just fine on the kitchen counter with natural light and room temperatures
Organic fruits and vegetables, including these tomatoes from Shortt’s Farm, make for a healthy food option.
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Newtown Health District Established in 1994
Working to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy • Health Promotion and Education: - Heart Health/Wellness - Know Your Numbers - Tick-borne Disease Prevention
• Providing Exceptional Customer Service to Meet Community Needs • Collaborating with Community Partners/ Leveraging Resources
• Protecting our Environment: - Plan review, permitting, inspections - Ensuring code compliance • Food Protection Program: - Licensing, inspections, education/training
Located at the Newtown Municipal Center
3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT • Tel (203) 270-4291 e-mail: health.district@newtown-ct.gov
Online Links The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut website (ctnofa.org/ healthyfarms/index.html) provides information and links to information about sourcing local food in Connecticut and
keeping our farms and our families healthy. The site includes a quote from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA): “Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.” This website indicates that picking your own fruit at local farms is a great way to exercise while learning more about how your food is grown, and includes a link to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s list of “Pick Your Own Farms” around the state. USDA has responded to the growing interest in local and regional foods through the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, according to the website, which includes a link to the initiative. “Their mission is to support the critical connection between farmers and consumers and to strengthen USDA’s support for local and regional food systems,” according to the site. Honey For Eating And Healing Ian Appleby of Down To Earth Apiaries, does local beekeeping and honey production with his family in town. The local honey is good for allergies since it is ( continued on page D - 2 )