If you’ve ever been to your neighborhood farmers market, the hearty bunches of kale, locally made cheeses, seasonal fruits, and freshly baked bread are the result of a local food economy.
Eating local produce means enjoying more locally grown produce and other foods from farmers and producers in your community.
Several benefits come from eating local foods, including environmental, economic, social, and health benefits.
Here are 7 great benefits of eating local.
Food that is grown or produced in your community is not imported from distant states or countries like many grocery items.
This means that local food, especially agricultural products, is usually extremely fresh and tastes better than non-local products. If you’ve ever enjoyed a perfectly ripe tomato or box of strawberries from your farmer’s market, you know what I mean.
Local produce sold at farmers markets can be picked or harvested just a day or two before, or on the morning of the market.
As a result, some fruits and vegetables may remain on the vine to ripen longer or may have more favorable growing conditions than they would if they had to travel to the grocery store. Depending on the type of product, this can make them sweeter, juicier, and tastier.
Other types of local food, such as eggs from a farmer who raises chickens, are also often fresher than options that come from further afield.
Most chefs and home cooks will probably agree that the freshest ingredients tend to produce the best tasting dishes. Of course, using fresh local food is not the only way to cook enjoyable meals, but it is certainly a treat for your taste buds.
Summary
The food that comes from your community does not need to be shipped from far away and is very fresh, especially when it comes to agricultural products.
Fruits and vegetables can lose some of their nutrients during transportation and processing or while on grocery store shelves.
Vitamin C, an important water-soluble nutrient that is necessary for healthy skin and tissues, begins to break down in fresh fruits and vegetables shortly after harvest (
In addition, the antioxidant content of some products decreases during storage. Getting antioxidants from food is important to fight reactive molecules called free radicals that contribute to disease (
Since locally grown produce generally doesn’t have to travel far or stay in storage for long, they retain more nutrients.
While that may not always be the case, fresh asparagus from the farmers market is likely to be more nutritious than what you see in the store from far away.
It is important to note that all types of fruits and vegetables, fresh or frozen, local or non-local, provide important nutrients and are good additions to your diet.
However, if you have the opportunity to purchase locally grown options, you can get the most bang for your buck when it comes to nutrition.
Summary
Some foods, especially fruits and vegetables, lose nutrients during transport and storage, so local options are often more nutritious.
If you shop at local farmers markets or food cooperatives, you will likely be introduced to a new or unique food that is grown in your area.
Discovering these items is a great way to learn more about the food history and agricultural practices of your community. You may even find a new favorite food or ingredient.
During years of shopping at farmers markets, I have sampled locally grown and ground flour, cave aged cheeses, teas made with herbs and plants gathered in my state, and many interesting products.
Signing up for a Community Supported Agriculture Action (CSA) is another great opportunity to get exposed to local foods that may be new to you. CSA boxes are filled with produce and prepared directly by farmers for consumers.
These boxes sometimes contain unique vegetables or fruits, such as romanesco, celery, chicory, and pattypan, which are difficult to find in stores.
Summary
Eating local products often leads to the discovery of new and unique foods. In particular, CSA boxes are often filled with delicious, hard-to-find fruits and vegetables.
Supporting local farmers and food suppliers is environmentally friendly.
Less pollution and lower carbon footprint
As I pointed out earlier, local food travels a shorter distance to markets and stores than products that come from other areas. Therefore, their transport generally contributes to less pollution and less carbon emissions than food that requires longer trips.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), there is no standardized distance that characterizes foods as local. Instead, stores typically use a set distance or state limit to make this distinction (4).
Some local foods may come from a farmer or vendor down your street, while other local produce may be grown 100 miles away. Still, this is much closer than a farm thousands of miles away or in a different country.
Less waste and plastic packaging
Many local foods, especially agricultural products, are sold at agricultural stalls without packaging. Also, you can bring your own reusable bags to take the items home. This equates to less waste, particularly from plastic packaging and bags.
As a bonus, local produce doesn’t need to be processed, which preserves food but contributes to waste (5).
Healthier ecosystems
Finally, supporting local farmers helps maintain green space and farmland in your area. Local farms using sustainable practices can boost biodiversity, protect pollinators that are vital to ecosystem health, and promote clean air, water, and soil (6).
Summary
Local foods produce less contamination and waste due to their minimal or complete lack of packaging, processing, and transportation. Supporting local farmers who implement sustainable techniques also benefits the environment.
When you buy local food, your money will likely continue to circulate within the local economy.
Some studies suggest that local food has a multiplier effect, which means that it contributes to increasing employment and income in a community, among other positive effects (7).
For the same reason that a stimulus package boosts the national economy, spending money in your community can boost the local economy.
Not only do local businesses provide jobs for community members, but their owners and employees are also more likely to transfer their income to other local stores and institutions, further strengthening the regional economy (8).
Summary
Money spent on local food continues to circulate in your regional economy, supporting local jobs and strong communities.
One of my favorite things about buying local food is making connections with farms and food producers.
Building relationships with those who grow your food is a great way to build a community. At the same time, you can ask questions and learn about agricultural practices. Such connections can help you develop a deeper appreciation for your food.
Personally, I feel more satisfied and aware when I have a connection to food than I eat. Like using a favorite family recipe, enjoying local food can evoke positive emotions and lift your spirits.
Summary
Buying food directly from farmers and suppliers gives you the opportunity to learn more about farming practices and develop connections with your food.
If you are interested in eating more local food, you will be happy to know that it is easy to do.
Here are some of the best ways to start eating local:
- Head to your local farmers market.
- Become a member of a local food cooperative.
- Register for a CSA action.
- Dine at farm-to-table restaurants in your area, some of which may even have a CSA or farm stand attached to the restaurant.
- Browse the produce section, or check with the produce manager, at your grocery store to see if they identify local foods. Some may add labels to local produce.
Summary
If you want to eat local foods, check out farmers markets, cooperatives, or farm-to-table restaurants in your area.
Eating local produce doesn’t just benefit your health and the farmers in your community. It also has a number of positive economic, social and environmental effects.
Local foods tend to taste fresher, have more nutrients, and use less packaging. Supporting local food businesses builds strong local economies.
If you’re interested in these benefits, start looking for farmers markets or CSAs that serve your area.