Fresh local produce has many health benefits that can’t be found in the typical store-bought produce. Eating local produce can help unlock the superpowers of fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables for your body. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider making local produce a part of your diet:
Freshness
Local produce is often picked at its peak ripeness, meaning that it is full of essential nutrients and vitamins. Store-bought produce can lose some of its nutritional value while in transit and while sitting on grocery store shelves. Eating local produce helps ensure that you get the most out of your fruits and vegetables.
Lower Environmental Impact
When you purchase local produce, you are helping reduce the environmental impact associated with store-bought produce. Local produce doesn’t have to travel great distances to get to you, so it uses less energy and has fewer emissions from transportation.
Supports Local Businesses
By buying local produce, you are helping to support the local economy. Many farmers and producers rely on consumers to purchase their products, so buying local helps to ensure that these businesses stay open.
Better for You
Fresh, local produce contains fewer pesticides and chemicals than store-bought produce. It also has more flavor and can be more affordable in the long run.
Boosts the Local Food System
When you purchase local produce, you are helping to build the local food system. This helps to keep food prices down and gives the community access to fresher, healthier food.
Reap the Rewards of Local Produce
By incorporating more local produce into your diet, you can reap the rewards of fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables. Eating local produce helps to reduce your environmental impact, supports local businesses, and improves the local food system in your community. Plus, you get to enjoy the delicious flavors of fresh, locally-grown produce. So make sure to visit your local farmers market and enjoy the benefits of local produce today!
What are the benefits of eating organic local produce?
1. Improved nutrition and flavor: organic produce is fresher and more nutrient-rich than conventionally produced produce, and has more intense, complex flavors.
2. More natural pest and weed management: organic farming eschews synthetic agricultural chemicals, relying instead on natural methods to manage pests and weeds such as crop rotation, composting, natural predatory insects and companion planting.
3. Reduced environmental impact: organic farming conserves water, uses fewer energy resources, and generates less waste and pollution than conventional agriculture.
4. Better animal welfare: organic farmers are required to use animal welfare practices such as providing space to roam and access to natural materials like grass and dirt.
5. More resilient crop yields: organic producers protect long-term soil fertility by avoiding synthetic fertilizers and instead rely on natural methods to maintain healthy soils, helping protect the health of their crops.
What are the risks of not eating organic local produce?
1. Increased Exposure to Pesticides: Fruits and vegetables that are conventionally grown are likely to contain higher levels of pesticides, which can have harmful long-term health effects.
2. Nutrient Loss: Nutrient levels in non-organic produce can be lower than in organic produce due to different farming techniques and the lack of nutrient-rich soil.
3. Lower Levels of Beneficial Phytochemicals: Conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables often contain fewer “phytochemicals”, which are natural compounds that benefit human health.
4. Exposure to Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria: The use of antibiotics in conventional farming can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can spread to humans via the food supply.
5. Unsustainable Farming Practices: Many conventional farmers use agricultural practices that are harmful to the environment, such as excessive water use and soil depletion.
What are the benefits of eating organic local produce?
1. Improved Nutrition: Organic fruits and vegetables have higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than their conventionally grown counterparts.
2. Better for the Environment: Buying organic local produce supports farmers in your area who are committed to sustainable farming practices. By purchasing organic produce, you reduce your carbon footprint and help preserve natural resources like soil and water.
3. Increased Flavor and Freshness: Eating organic produce means you are eating food that has been freshly picked, often within the same day you purchase it. This means that you get to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
4. Supporting Small Farmers: In many places, buying organic local produce directs more money to small, local farmers instead of to large agricultural business. This helps to keep small farms in business, while also encouraging sustainable practices.
5. Avoid Pesticides: Organic farming relies on natural methods to control pests, rather than chemical treatments. This results in produce that is free of potentially harmful chemicals.
