There has been a significant marketing push in many communities across the country, recommending that consumers purchase produce from nearby farms. It makes sense and it is likely to continue. There are numerous reasons why, and I will lay them out for you. However, there are a few things to be careful of. Just because a farm is around the corner doesn't mean it's your best option.
There are a lot of positives to assess when considering purchasing local produce. Freshness and nutrition are usually higher from local products because of less travel time and the typical drop off in nutritional value as produce ages, which can happen rather quickly. Most people don't realize that when comparing produce coming from long distances to frozen or canned produce, the latter is often more nutritious because it was preserved close to harvest while the former is possibly a week or two old.
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.
Local produce can have negatives, though, that must be considered. If a farmer uses genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), all bets are off and the previously-mentioned benefits are negated. These types of crops should be avoided. Research suggests there are significant negative effects of continually ingesting them. I have also never seen an independent report that supports the use of GMOs.
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.
The benefits of buying local produce are significant if you avoid the dangers of genetically-modified seeds and cancer-causing chemicals. These dangers are too great to consider local products. It would be better to buy organic or non-GMO produce from greater distances.
There are a lot of positives to assess when considering purchasing local produce. Freshness and nutrition are usually higher from local products because of less travel time and the typical drop off in nutritional value as produce ages, which can happen rather quickly. Most people don't realize that when comparing produce coming from long distances to frozen or canned produce, the latter is often more nutritious because it was preserved close to harvest while the former is possibly a week or two old.
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.
Local produce can have negatives, though, that must be considered. If a farmer uses genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), all bets are off and the previously-mentioned benefits are negated. These types of crops should be avoided. Research suggests there are significant negative effects of continually ingesting them. I have also never seen an independent report that supports the use of GMOs.
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.
The benefits of buying local produce are significant if you avoid the dangers of genetically-modified seeds and cancer-causing chemicals. These dangers are too great to consider local products. It would be better to buy organic or non-GMO produce from greater distances.
About the Author:
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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