8 Good Reasons to buy Local Food

Our life revolves around food – GOOD food. 

Not that stuff that’s placed in the newspaper ads – but food that comes from the local farmers here in our area.

We nourish ourselves with this food, our meal plans revolve around it… and there is no doubt that this food is the BEST option for our health.

When you buy local foods, you know that you are contributing to your local economy and community. You don’t always spend more buying local foods either – sometimes it’s more cost effective to stay out of the grocery store and spend $25 – $30 each week on fresh CSA produce.

In most cases, it’s cheaper to buy local because in season foods are cheaper and travel has been minimized.

Here are 8 reasons to consider buying your food local:

1. Locally Grown Food tastes better…

Food grown in your area is picked and in your hands in a much shorter timeframe – it’s loaded with flavor.   Produce trucked in from California or Mexico is much older – the average distance that food travels from the farm to your plate is 1,500 miles.

In the days that food travels that distance – whether from out of state or even across country lines, sugars turn to starches, plant cells shrink up and produce loses its nutritional value.

2. Local Produce is More Nutritious

Since it is picked sooner, it retains the nutrients that your body needs.  Frozen food that is frozen soon after harvest CAN be more nutritious than some of the fresh produce in your regular grocer – but locally grown food, is the best bang for your buck.

3.  Local food is NON-GMO (and in some cases Organic)

MANY local farmers (not all!) have opted to grow their food without using pesticides or herbicides (Organic), and if not, most are Non-GMO. Buying Organic ensures that the food is both Organic and Non-GMO.

Local farmers don’t use genetically modified seed – bioengineered food is used is most factory style farms… to keep up with the demand. But those foods also come with some serious health consequences, too.

4. Local Food = Genetic Diversity

Right now in our factory farms, varieties are chosen that will withstand harvesting equipment… a long shelf life i the store, and even the harsh risks of packing and shipping. Only a few hybrid varieties are available that fit those “high” demands.  But local farms, on the other hand, grow many varieties – they use heirlooms passed down from generation, they use varieties that will provide beautiful colors and a long growing season.

5. Local Farms are great for the Community

Buying direct from your local farmer ensures you know what you are getting – how it was planted, harvested, and gives you a great insight into how farms work.

Your kids can go learn about agriculture. .. see how farms work, and even learn about how your food is planted. That’s something you can’t get at the grocery store.

6. Local Farms support a Local Family with your Mindset

With less and less people going into farming as an occupation, those who are in the occupation that are the 

You are helping someone who cares about the health of your family – who cares about quality food (and not so much about HUGE profits…) — local farmers who sell directly to the consumer don’t lose revenue to the middle man who may not have the same concerns about you, your family, or your health.

7.  Local Food supports ALL that Open Space & Land

Do you ever drive around your area and roll down the windows when you drive through the fields and farms? We do that ALL the time. …

By buying from local farms, you keep those farmers in the business of being able to have those amazing fields and crops through demand.  When you buy local, you are ensuring that the agriculture is preserved.

8.  Local Food Keeps your Taxes Lower

Farmers typically contribute more in taxes than they require back in the form of services. Unlike large, residential corporations or housing developments that require MORE in services than they generate in taxes.  

 

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