Greenies are always touting the benefits of buying locally grown foods, but sometimes, you just need to hear the good reasons to do something:
10. Local farms keep taxes in check.
Everyone dislikes taxes right? Did you know that local farms contribute more to taxes while suburban development costs more than it generates in taxes?
9. Purchasing locally supports local families.
America used to be a country of farms – now there are fewer than 1 million Americans that list farming as their primary occupation. Purchasing locally prevents farming from vanishing from America.
8. Locally grown produce is better for us.
Fresh produce retains more nutrients. ‘Nuff said.
7. Local farmers don’t use GMO (genetically modified organisms).
While the large companies manufacture genetically modified foods, local farmers can’t and probably wouldn’t even if they would.
6. Purchasing locally builds a stronger community.
This goes a bit hand in hand with supporting local farmers, but purchasing local foods helps build the community and the bond between consumer and grower.
5. Locally grown food helps save genetic diversity.
Another thing you may not consciously think about – because of the rigorous demands of the modern industrial agricultural system, there is very little genetic diversity in fruits and vegetables. However, locally grown produce doesn’t have to undergo the same demands, so local farms can provide more variety.
4. Local food helps the environment.
Local farms help keep prevent erosion and replace nutrients to the fields with cover crops, which also capture carbon emissions.
3. Local farms preserve open space.
Think about it – local farms take up land that would probably otherwise be used for shopping malls and help preserve the rural landscape.
2. Food that is grown locally tastes better.
This is a bit of a “duh!” reason, but one that we might not often consider. Of course something grown locally is going to taste better than something that has been doused with chemicals, frozen or canned, and shipped in from hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away. The food will be sweeter, crisper, and more flavorful. People are starting to realize this – in the past six years, the number of small farms has grown by 20 percent.
1. Local farms are for future generations.
We all worry about our children getting what they need. As long as we support local farms, we are ensuring the children have access to good, nutritional food.
(This image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.)
