The following article is a kind contribution to this blog, by Joe Thomas
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1) Food
grown locally tastes far better than imported produce. Yes, some vegetables
might look wonky but the flavour they are bursting with surely make up for
that. Locally grown food is likely to arrive on your dinner table within a few
hours of being picked. The same cannot be said for those strawberries we import
from Spain.
2) Not only
does it taste better, local food also provides more nutrients. Farmers harvest
crops at their peak making sure we get the ripest highest quality food. There
is also no need to treat vegetables and fruit with chemicals or wrap them in
plastic for days of transportation. Not only would you contribute to a
healthier lifestyle, but you would also help the environment whilst at it.
3) Now, locally
produced food comes in all shapes and sizes. This is because farmers use
different varieties of crops to increase the length of harvesting cycle. These
crops are not genetically modified unlike the ones being mass produced for
larger retailers. This variety preserves biodiversity and ensures that species
do not go extinct. Nowadays, out of thousands of apple cultivars available in
the world only a few varieties make it to the big stores. Smaller farms take
pride in the crops they grow and some special varieties are passed down as a family
secret through generations. That is the kind of authenticity that you
would never find in a supermarket.
4) Locally
grown crops are safer to eat. Cattle is reared freely on luscious green
pastures while crops are fertilized by the manure those animals produce. There
is no waste of resources on local farms. So why not go down to a local butcher
for a nutrient-packed tender steak rather than a questionable looking chicken
breast full of antibiotics and growth hormones from a supermarket?
5) Local farmers
and independent businesses are working hard to make it in the world where
competition is so fierce. By supporting them we preserve the authenticity and
quality of the services they provide. Each one of them adds a personal touch to
their produce which is only characteristic of small local businesses.
6) Invest
in the community you live in. Local food is produced by your neighbours living
nearby trying their best to provide best quality food all year around. It is a
much more pleasant experience buying from a farmer’s market or a shop while
engaging in conversation and playing an active part in your local community.
7) Local
food preserves open space. If you enjoy the picturesque landscapes of the
countryside, think about buying local produce to save it. By keeping local
farmers in business, you ensure that our beautiful land is being used for
agriculture and not sold for yet another development project.
8) Buying
locally helps ecosystems in your area because carefully managed farms
peacefully coexist with and preserve wildlife. Hedges, ponds and meadows that
farmers look after provide natural habitats for a variety of local species. The
food takes less miles to reach your plate, which reduces food
miles, which in turn is much better for the environment.
9) As a
rule of thumb, local farms require less of your tax to operate as they provide
more in tax than they take in services. They also use less resources and manage
them more effectively than larger scale operations. Think about that next time
you go to a supermarket.
10) Buying
locally today provides for a better tomorrow. By making this small choice you
are having a positive impact on so many different aspects and ensuring that
there is fresh, diverse, flavoursome food available for future generations.
Joe Thomas
