Why You Should Buy Local
Alongside the boom in organic food, you may have noticed a trend these last few years towards championing eating locally
Alongside the boom in organic food, you may have noticed a trend these last few years towards championing eating locally produced foods. But does the fact that your food originated within a few hours drive of your kitchen really matter? Actually, it does. Here’s why:
Local = Tastier
The fact that your food has only traveled a short distance means that it’s fresher, spends less time in transit, and is less likely to sit in storage than food brought in from farther away.
Local = Healthier
Less time in transit means fewer lost nutrients and fewer opportunities for damage and contamination.
Local = Community
Buying local food means supporting farms and businesses in your region. When you buy directly from farms, farmer’s markets, and local purveyors, more of your money goes directly into their pockets than if you were to buy their goods in a store, which is good for them and often economical for you.
Local = Sustainable
The closer you live to your food sources, the less energy is required to deliver the food to you and the less pollution is created. In addition, many small farmers don’t use the kind of harmful pesticides, antibiotics, or growth hormones that are commonly used in large industrial farms, which is healthier for the crops, animals, land, and you.
Local = The Future
Without your business, there won’t be any local farms in your community. Buying your food from local farms helps keep them in existence.
Plus: 4 Reasons to Buy Regional Organic Food
Sources: Local Harvest, Sustainable Connections, Sustainable Table