Eating Local – The Top 5 Surprising Benefits

Eating local food has several benefits, including economic, environmental, social, and health advantages. In this article, we discuss the top 5 benefits of eating local.

The abundant bunches of kale, locally made cheeses, seasonal fruits, and freshly baked bread at your local farmers market are all the products of a local food economy.

Consuming locally grown food involves consuming more locally grown produce and other goods from local farmers and producers.

Very Fresh

Food produced or grown in your locality is not imported from other countries, as many supermarket items are. This means that local food, particularly vegetables, is often fresher and tastier than products not grown locally. 

This means that local food, particularly vegetables, is often fresher and tastier than products not grown locally. You know what I’m talking about if you’ve ever had fresh fruit from your local farmers market. You can instantly taste the difference and sometimes see the difference in how it looks. Locally grown food sold at farmers markets may have been selected or picked just a day or two earlier, or even on the morning of the sale.

The Top 5 Surprising Benefits of Eating Local – Better for the Environment

Local produce travels fewer miles to stores than foods from other regions. Supporting local farmers and food purveyors benefits the environment since less pollution and a reduced carbon impact. 

Many local foods, mainly fruits and veg, are offered without packaging at farm markets. You can also bring your reusable bags to transport your purchases home. This means reduced waste, especially of plastic packaging and bags. In addition to this, local produce does not need to be processed, which preserves food but adds to waste.

Read more here to find out how you can reduce carbon footprint.

More Nutritious

Fruits and vegetables can lose nutrients during processing and transportation and when sitting on store shelves.

The antioxidant activity of several fruits and vegetables decreases after storage. It is crucial to obtain antioxidants from food to combat free radicals, which lead to disease.

Locally grown produce keeps more nutrients because it does not have to travel far or stay in storage for long periods. You are also more likely to come across organic produce if it is locally grown. Read more about organic food here by LiveWell Naturals.

The Top 5 Surprising Benefits of Eating Local – Supports Your Local Economy

Your money is more likely to stay in the local, regional economy when you buy locally grown food. This supports jobs in the area and community spirit.

According to certain research, local food has a great deal of impact, which means that it contributes to greater employment and revenue in a region, along with many other benefits.

Local companies generate jobs for community residents, but their founders and workers are more likely to reinvest their earnings in other local enterprises and organizations.

Discover New Foods

When buying more local food, you’ll find exciting new foods, delicious new methods to prepare meals, and a new appreciation for the pleasures of each season’s cuisine. Whenever you eat at a nearby restaurant, you become a part of that location’s culture since food is a part of a country’s tradition and is deeply embedded in the experiences of the people who live there. That is why, no matter where you go, the local cuisine will be distinct. They evolve in response to the local environment and seasonal changes, and always something new to uncover.