Top Benefits of Buying Local Produce

 We have often heard that one of the essential elements of sustainable eating is to eat local produce, that is the food considered to be in-season. Consuming locally-grown food is a crucial principle for agricultural sustainability, which includes the farming practices that acknowledge the impact that farming has on our ecosystem.

On top of the environmental benefits, eating locally-grown food provides various benefits for your health. We are all well-aware of the nutritional significance of eating vegetables and fruits. A lot of people now prefer to choose organic, local produce when shopping for these food items. By simply doing a quick google search of the vegetable delivery service near me, you can find many options to pick from.

WHAT IS LOCAL PRODUCE?

Local produce or locally-grown food is a generic term that refers to the food that was grown within a particular geographical district, that would be called local to your residential area. Local produce can come from different sources; for instance, it might be grown within your town, neighborhood, or could be homegrown in your yard.

These locally-grown food items can be available anywhere surrounding your locality. You can visit your local grocery store, a nearby farmers’ market, or some other organic produce store.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF LOCAL PRODUCE

Today there is a growing awareness in terms of the health benefits and the added value that local produce provides in upgrading your lifestyle. Many families have now incorporated these locally-grown food items as a staple element into their diet.

Following are some of the several health benefits of local produce:

Added Nutrition – Locally-grown fruits and vegetables tend to be more nutrition-rich as compared to the natural alternatives. The main reason is that this food is grown devoid of any chemicals or artificial growth enhancers that can often jeopardize the quality and nutritional value of the food. Also, in-season food tends to be fresh and has added flavors and taste.

No pesticides – The majority of the local farmers tend to use natural and organic pest control products to maintain the health benefits of the food they provide. In contrast, food that is produced in widespread agricultural industries is usually sprayed with harmful pesticides.

No Preservatives – With locally-grown food, there is no need for transportation and distribution across long distances. Therefore, this eliminated the requirement of any preservatives or chemicals to preserve the freshness and original condition of the food. Also, this is a huge relief for people who are sensitive to additives and have food allergies.

Promotes Balanced Diet – Incorporating local produce in your diet will help you maintain your family’s health as you are essentially consuming more healthy protein and nutrients as compared to the packaged and processed alternatives.

Food Safety – As the food is handled locally and does not have to be transported a long distance, you do not have to worry about contamination and, this elevated the overall food safety of your produce. Buying from local farmers lowers the risk of consuming unsafe food.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF LOCAL PRODUCE

Here are some of the environmental benefits provided by local produce:

Protects Farm Land – Local farms occupying a small piece of land preserves the farmland, which could otherwise be transformed into a commercial or industrial site. Local farms provide the opportunity to create healthy biodiversity and provide space for birds and insects to thrive.

Cuts Down Food Miles – It could be thousands of miles of distance and shipment that a lot of the imported food has to cover before it can actually reach supermarkets. That accounts for the added fuel and carbon emission during the transport. Cutting down on the food miles enables us to reduce or even eliminate the need for utilizing fuel, which can ultimately lower air pollution and global warming.

Preserves Genetic Diversity – In the industrialized system of agriculture, the plant varieties are selected based on their ability to ripen evenly, endure harvesting, withstand packaging and, manage to have a long shelf life. Consequently, there is limited diversity in terms of the plant varieties that can be grown on a large scale. On the other hand, with a local farm, farmers have much more liberty to grow different crop varieties with enhanced flavors and aesthetic appeal.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF LOCAL PRODUCE

Here we have discussed some of the ways local produce can help your economy:

Money Stays in Your Community – Supporting local farms helps in building the local economy as instead of putting your money into large corporations, you are keeping the money within the community. Even though these businesses create employment opportunities, most are located in different cities and countries. Thus, essentially the money you spend on local produce goes directly to the farmer.

It Generates Employment – Small-scale local farms also add value to the economy by creating job opportunities. When you buy from your local farmers market, you are directly contributing to assisting your community members in finding stable jobs.

Local Supply for Other Businesses – There are many businesses, including diners, restaurants, cafeterias, and other eateries that prefer to get their food supply from the local producers. For many people, this turns out to be a selling point for the business, which ultimately leads to the economic prosperity of local farming.

When you choose to buy local produce, you are directly contributing to the growth of your local economy, helping connect your community, upgrading your lifestyle and health, and also playing a role in protecting the environment. By becoming a part of the local food community, you get to rediscover the lost value of farming and organic food production.

As a result of the modern agricultural practices and massive commercialized food corporations, people had lost contact with the value that nature provides. Today with better awareness, people are getting accustomed to healthier lifestyles and are finally acknowledging the many benefits of local produce.

Author Bio:

Carla Gibson is a registered nutritionist and has been working as a health activist for the past two decades. She has been an active part of the vegetable delivery service near me for about five years. Outside of work, her hobbies include hiking, swimming, gardening, and yoga.