The talk recently has been about eating cleaner and less processed foods. It’s good for you. No question. The cleaner your eating, the less chemicals you’re consuming. When it comes to selecting healthy food there’s a number of reasons to eat locally.
Reduce Transportation Costs and Emissions
It costs a lot of money to import foods from far away places like Mexico and Chile. Those costs are passed onto the consumer, inflating the cost of the produce. Longer transportation routes also take their toll on the environment with increased emissions.
Less Preservatives and Chemicals
Longer transportation requires produce to be harvested before it is ready. It is then “ripened” artificially. Local produce is picked at the height of ripeness and shared with consumers right away. In some cases it goes from farm to table in a few hours. Also, the longer the produce travels (or sits between picking and serving), it tends to lose nutrients.
Local Food Funds Families
Just as in the case of other local shops, buying from a local farmer keeps money in your community. Your continued purchase may be the difference in a successful year or one that’s not so successful. You’re also helping someone keep their dream of business ownership alive (possibly for the next generation).
When local farmers are successful you’ll continue to see farmland. When a farmer can’t make a living your community’s lovely green space may quickly become subdivisions and shopping malls.
Farmers are Local Tax Payers
Keeping farmers employed keeps a tax base around that pays more into the system than it takes out.
They Offer Expertise
When you buy from a farmer you get something besides delicious produce. You get someone who knows how to grow and enjoy their products. Ask them questions about raising food or preparing it and they’ll be happy to share. While you can Google this information, the answers you receive won’t necessarily be fitting of your area. A local farmer can tell you what works.
Supporting your local farmer is as critical to the health of your community as is supporting your local merchant. Plus it’s very tasty.