I'm sure you've seen advertisements on TV or signs in the grocery story, highlighting the importance of buying foods from local farmers. It is a trend that I expect to continue. There are a variety of reasons buying local will persist, but there are certainly some things you need to be careful of. You can't just assume that your neighbor is better than someone else's just because they're closer. I will start with the benefits and then highlight potential negatives to consider.
In terms of benefits, local farms typically spend less time in transit, meaning the food is fresher and has more nutrients. Because of this, local foods have higher amounts of vitamins and minerals while lasting longer. Unfortunately, unadulterated produce items can lose nutrient content rather fast. If produce is frozen or canned quickly after harvest, they can often be higher in nutrient value than products in the produce aisle that have traveled a great distance, despite a general assumption that these foods carry greater freshness.
You also support your neighbors and local economy while helping to reduce transportation costs and the fossil fuel impact on the environment. All else equal, why not spend your money in your own area? Your community will benefit from the trickle-down multiplier effect. The more local dollars that circulate through local businesses, the more disposable income is created. Furthermore, it means more taxes collected and spent in your community on schools, roads, and other public goods.
Local foods can also protect you when disaster strikes. Hurricane Sandy, which hit the Northeast in the fall of 2012, created massive disruptions to supply chains. The most hurtful were the delays in getting food and gasoline to local communities. The more you rely on long-distance goods, the greater the risk when disaster strikes. Consider eating locally-grown foods (and locally produced goods and services) as part of an emergency survival plan. It doesn't work though if you wait until the event happens to make the change. It's too late at that point.
That being said, it is important to consider a few other issues. First, all of the positives I already mentioned will be negated if the farms use GMO seeds, which are genetically altered to increase crop yields by adding chemicals or spliced traits from animals or other plants. GMOs are often called Frankencrops. I have never seen a peer-reviewed study supporting the use of GMOs yet the argument against their use is significant and growing.
It is also important to avoid local farms that use chemical pesticides. You negate the positive benefits of buying local if the products carry carcinogens in and on the food. Local farms should be certified organic or at least use organic farming principles, assuming you trust the farmer's word. Many farmers avoid costly USDA certification, but without inspections and certification, you are taking somewhat of a leap of faith. The good news is that these farmers live in the local community and their reputations are essential to business survival.
I hope you consider locally-grown produce the next time you go food shopping. Just remember to make sure they are organic or non-GMO. Otherwise, you're wasting your money and hurting your health.
In terms of benefits, local farms typically spend less time in transit, meaning the food is fresher and has more nutrients. Because of this, local foods have higher amounts of vitamins and minerals while lasting longer. Unfortunately, unadulterated produce items can lose nutrient content rather fast. If produce is frozen or canned quickly after harvest, they can often be higher in nutrient value than products in the produce aisle that have traveled a great distance, despite a general assumption that these foods carry greater freshness.
You also support your neighbors and local economy while helping to reduce transportation costs and the fossil fuel impact on the environment. All else equal, why not spend your money in your own area? Your community will benefit from the trickle-down multiplier effect. The more local dollars that circulate through local businesses, the more disposable income is created. Furthermore, it means more taxes collected and spent in your community on schools, roads, and other public goods.
Local foods can also protect you when disaster strikes. Hurricane Sandy, which hit the Northeast in the fall of 2012, created massive disruptions to supply chains. The most hurtful were the delays in getting food and gasoline to local communities. The more you rely on long-distance goods, the greater the risk when disaster strikes. Consider eating locally-grown foods (and locally produced goods and services) as part of an emergency survival plan. It doesn't work though if you wait until the event happens to make the change. It's too late at that point.
That being said, it is important to consider a few other issues. First, all of the positives I already mentioned will be negated if the farms use GMO seeds, which are genetically altered to increase crop yields by adding chemicals or spliced traits from animals or other plants. GMOs are often called Frankencrops. I have never seen a peer-reviewed study supporting the use of GMOs yet the argument against their use is significant and growing.
It is also important to avoid local farms that use chemical pesticides. You negate the positive benefits of buying local if the products carry carcinogens in and on the food. Local farms should be certified organic or at least use organic farming principles, assuming you trust the farmer's word. Many farmers avoid costly USDA certification, but without inspections and certification, you are taking somewhat of a leap of faith. The good news is that these farmers live in the local community and their reputations are essential to business survival.
I hope you consider locally-grown produce the next time you go food shopping. Just remember to make sure they are organic or non-GMO. Otherwise, you're wasting your money and hurting your health.
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Please see my website for more information dangers of food additives and preservatives or my blog at FDA food label guidelines
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