Why locally grown food

Thus they can ensure the highest qualities of freshness, nutrition, and taste. This food is bred for taste and not coated with chemicals to withstand the long commute. Supermarket produce is grown and processed with its shelf life in mind, and not necessarily its nutritional benefits. These products have been transported over long distances and will often have been sitting in distribution centres before arriving at the store and eventually making it onto the shelves. Eating locally-produced food that has been able allowed to ripen fully.

Not only does this give us food rich in colour and flavour, it means that our body gets the highest nutritional value possible. Farmers can only grow what the season will support. Before transporting goods over long distances became commonplace we had no option but to eat seasonally. As a result, we based our meal choices on the ingredients we had available.

Luckily, the natural cycle of produce is perfectly designed to support our health. Leafy greens, abundant in spring, help our bodies alkalize and detox after a winter of heavier foods. While in summer, water-dense fruits like berries and watermelon and cucumber keep us hydrated. The money that is spent with local farmers and growers all stays close to home and is reinvested with businesses and services in your community.

Local food benefits the environment. Local foods promote a safer food supply. Food grown in distant locations has the potential for food safety issues at harvesting, washing, shipping and distribution. Local growers can tell you how the food was grown. You can ask what practices they use to raise and harvest the crops. When you know where your food comes from and who grew it, you know a lot more about that food.

Did you find this article useful? Fresher produce means it is more flavorful and more nutritious than produce from other countries or states.

Local Foods Are Seasonal. Local farms allow their fruits and vegetables to ripen fully without having to use chemicals or gas to speed along this process. Eating produce in peak season means you are enjoying these foods when they are the most abundant, which in turn makes them more affordable.

Purchasing locally grown vegetables and fruits helps maintain and preserve the green space and farmland in your local community. Local Foods Promote Food Safety. For example, if there is a large outbreak of e. Skip to content arrowquip. Comments Join the Discussion Leave this field blank.

My Name:. My Comments:. Add My Comment. Thomas Clarence Oct 15th, It's great that you mentioned that buying local food can help support families in your community. Reply 0 comments. Leave this field blank. Kblivestockfarm Mar 17th, Really very useful information, It is motivating my career. Collins Jun 30th, Well explained Reply 0 comments.

Angela Waterford May 3rd, My restaurant's customers like pesticide-free food which is why we're thinking of buying from a local produce supplier.