Eat Local, Think Global

Eat local. It’s as simple as that. The words are a constant presence in our environmentally conscious society today, but many consumers still give up local foods in favor of convenience. Local markets and farms are less commercialized and can exist in the form of a small family-run business. Although road-side stands are commonly found off-the-beaten-path, there are countless benefits to buying from these local food sources.

Locally grown foods are fresh. While produce that is purchased in a supermarket has been transported or cold-stored for up to weeks at a time, produce purchased at a local farmer’s market has often been picked within 24 hours of the purchase. The freshness affects the taste of the food and the nutritional value of the food as well. Because locally grown food hasn’t been stored for a long period of time or traveled for miles to get to supermarket shelves, the nutrients and flavors in the foods haven’t diminished. Locally grown foods also have longer to ripen; these foods don’t have to be able to withstand shipping, don’t contain preservatives, and are less likely to fall victim to harmful contamination that might occur during the shipping process. To find the reddest apple or freshest pear, visit a local farmer’s market and browse among the wide selection.

Not only do locally grown foods help create healthy and sustainable eating habits for individuals, but local foods are beneficial to the community and our environment as well. Eating locally is better for air quality and pollution than is eating organically or from a supermarket. When food is transported for miles, the vehicles carrying the food pollute the air and contribute significantly to our carbon footprint. Buying local food also supports responsible land development. The growers of local foods are often farmers with large amounts of open space, and this space will continue to stay open and undeveloped as long as there is community support. Local farmers and their fresh crops not only keep you and your family healthy, but keep the environment healthy as well.

Finally, buying local food keeps us in touch with the seasons. It’s easy to find all types of foods at a supermarket, even foods that are not in season, but the quality is much different compared to freshly grown foods. When foods are not in high demand, a local farmer is free to try small crops of various fruits and vegetables that will never make it to a large supermarket. Local foods therefore come in a larger variety and are harvested when they are at their peak taste, are most abundant, and are least expensive. In the end, remember this: the benefits to buying locally are far-reaching and extend beyond the kitchen table. Eat local and support local farmers, reduce our carbon footprint, and bite into that succulent, ripe tomato. Challenge yourself and take a trip off the beaten path; it’s worth it.