The widespread recalls of spinach, peanut butter, turkey and cantaloupe in recent years are prompting more and more individuals to question where and how their food is grown, raised and harvested. There are some startling facts about the nation’s food consumption that have prompted a nationwide movement to eat locally produced food:
- Each food item in a typical U.S. meal has traveled an average of 1500 miles
- If every American ate just one meal a week composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we could reduce the nation’s oil consumption by more than 1.1 million barrels of oil every week
While the environmental impact of food consumption is certainly a good reason to think about changing your buying habits, it is not the only reason to eat locally. If you have ever eaten a tomato fresh from the vine, a succulent peach plucked from a tree or asparagus on the day it is harvested, you know that local food is fresher and tastes better than mass-produced food available at your local supermarket.
Just as importantly, there is less chance of contamination when buying local foods as there are fewer steps between your food's source and your table. Local food is also less likely to contain chemicals. Even if a local farm is not certified organic (and many are not due to the cost), small farms tend to be less aggressive with chemicals and often practice sustainable farming—a method of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals and does not harm the environment.
Local farms also offer more variety than supermarkets. How often do you eat tomatoes with names such as the Arkansas Traveler, Black Krim or Golden Egg? Have you ever eaten Purple Majesty, Mountain Rose or Yellow Fin potatoes? In addition to being delicious and packed with nutrients, the crop variety produced by local farmers helps preserve a wide agricultural gene pool, which is an important factor in long-term food security. Shopping locally allows you to build and support your local economy and preserve green space and farmland. You benefit by knowing where your food comes from and being connected to the individuals who grow the crops, raise the animals, farm the honey and bake the bread. There are many resources on buying food locally—from sites on food co-ops to farmer’s markets to lists of CSAs —community supported agriculture (which allow you to buy a share in a farmer’s crops and received produce weekly). Depending on where you live, like the less temperate Northeast, you may think that eating locally and seasonally is difficult, but this does not have to be the case. There are many online resources for eating locally in any season. A number of farmer’s markets are also staying open all winter long and there are many cookbooks that feature recipes based on the ingredients that are in season in your area.
Just as importantly, there is less chance of contamination when buying local foods as there are fewer steps between your food's source and your table. Local food is also less likely to contain chemicals. Even if a local farm is not certified organic (and many are not due to the cost), small farms tend to be less aggressive with chemicals and often practice sustainable farming—a method of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals and does not harm the environment.
Local farms also offer more variety than supermarkets. How often do you eat tomatoes with names such as the Arkansas Traveler, Black Krim or Golden Egg? Have you ever eaten Purple Majesty, Mountain Rose or Yellow Fin potatoes? In addition to being delicious and packed with nutrients, the crop variety produced by local farmers helps preserve a wide agricultural gene pool, which is an important factor in long-term food security. Shopping locally allows you to build and support your local economy and preserve green space and farmland. You benefit by knowing where your food comes from and being connected to the individuals who grow the crops, raise the animals, farm the honey and bake the bread. There are many resources on buying food locally—from sites on food co-ops to farmer’s markets to lists of CSAs —community supported agriculture (which allow you to buy a share in a farmer’s crops and received produce weekly). Depending on where you live, like the less temperate Northeast, you may think that eating locally and seasonally is difficult, but this does not have to be the case. There are many online resources for eating locally in any season. A number of farmer’s markets are also staying open all winter long and there are many cookbooks that feature recipes based on the ingredients that are in season in your area.
On November 21, 2011, Nancy Stewart will have an article in the Boston Globe on a related topic. Check out her article for some additional insights from myself and other wellness experts. Thanks!
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