BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Grounded in Health, the 2023 public health initiative from Kern County Public Health and Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, focuses on a new topic each month, and the theme for March is l importance of eating healthier. and buy locally grown foods.
Eating fruits and vegetables is something that has been instilled in our minds from a young age. However, the importance of eating local is not as prevalent in our communities. A Bakersfield restaurant is looking to change that by offering dishes like burgers and tacos, even treats, all made with locally sourced foods.
“I started paying attention to what I put in my body and noticed that I felt very different when I ate foods that I could recognize,” said Heather Laganelli, owner of Placea farm-to-table restaurant.
Laganelli says once she realized how healthy eating benefited her, she wanted to share those benefits with others.
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Locale gets most of its food from different farmers or producers in the Bakersfield area. Kern County Public Health Director Brynn Carrigan says local produce is a healthier option.
“Local produce is fresher and more nutrient-dense. Local food is also safer because it goes through fewer processes and is less likely to be subject to sources of contamination,” Carrigan said.
Carrigan adds that eating locally also offers variety when it comes to fruits and vegetables, especially in Kern County, where many fruits and vegetables are grown.
Laganelli says that on average, Locale feeds about 200 people each day. She says when people try the food, they often leave more energized.
“People often say that they feel better after eating here, that they feel lighter, that they have more energy. They don’t feel as bogged down and they can’t always put their finger on it, which is really interesting because it’s not easy,” Laganelli said.
Stacy Kuwahara, director of Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, explains the benefits of a healthy diet.
“When we eat well and feel good physically, our minds are clearer, we think more clearly, and we function better, and so we like to talk about how we take better care of ourselves with food,” said Kuwahara.
Place sources food from Bakersfield-based farmers, partners with distributors, and connects with people who only produce organic food. Langanelli says she is a firm believer in using primarily organic foods.
“Small changes,” Langanelli said. “Just making a little bit of change will eventually turn into monumental growth.”
In addition to visiting local food restaurants, visiting farmers’ markets is a great way to get healthy, local foods, as well as visiting your local food bank for fresh produce.
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IN DEPTH: YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a healthy diet can help people live longer while reducing the risk of certain diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
A healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables also supports the health of parents and babies during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
For children, a healthy diet promotes healthy brain development, strengthens bones and helps maintain a strong digestive system.
A good diet not only benefits physical health. Mental health has also been linked to healthy eating. Studies have suggested that people who maintain a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables reduce their chances of suffering from symptoms of depression or anxiety.
