The Benefits of Choosing Locally Grown Food

We are in the age of food preservatives andwhich one we would choose?
additives. And we don't like it.• Local farmers who follow organic and sustainable
Take for example that lowly banana you had thisgrowing practices should be supported. By buying
morning. What pesticide was used while growing it,foods grown and raised closer to where we live, we
how long did it take to get to your local supermarketalso help maintain farmland and green space in our
and what else was put in it in order to maintain itscommunity!
freshness throughout the ride?• We want to support small farms. They are more
Concerned women like us are looking at foods grownlikely to grow more variety too, so they help protect
locally more favorably these days. And why not? Itand preserve biodiversity, which is extremely
would make a lot of sense for us to prefer locallyimportant in our long-term food security.
grown food if we want more control over what we• We love the stories that come with locally
put into our bodies, as well as the bodies of ourgrown food. Whether it's a story from the farmer,
loved ones. Moreover, if we truly care about thebaker or butcher, knowing a little history about your
planet, going local is definitely the way to go.food is such a wonderful part of enjoying a meal. We
The movement towards homemade or locallyfeel a connection to the people who raise and grow
sourced foodsour food, and it's great to develop connections to
It's good to know that more women today (such asmore food sources!
our friends) try to buy locally sourced food• We have peace of mind knowing and
whenever they can, although there is still a need forunderstanding our food source. It's safe,
more information dissemination on the benefits ofchemical-free and pesticide-free, not to mention it
eating locally grown food.helps a lot with our food budget. It also makes us
Homegrown means less packaging and transportation,feel good to learn about producers who pay their
and purchasing them also supports the local economy.workers a fair wage and practice social justice in their
We're sure you have read of the many benefits ofeco-friendly business!
locally produced foods, but we thought of writingIt doesn't have to be hard to find locally grown food.
about going local for the following reasons:In addition to farmers markets, large chain grocery
• Local food is way fresher and tastes better thanstores such as Ralphs and Vons are carrying produce
food that been flown in from thousands of milesfrom local growers. You can also contact and join
away. Less time on the road also means reduced useyour local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
of chemical ripening agents, and lesser environmentaland arrange to have preselected produce delivered
impact! Let's say you have an orange picked justdirectly to your home.
yesterday and an orange picked a couple of daysDo your frequent your local farmers market? What
ago, washed in a factory, and sealed in plastic. Guessare some of your favorite locally grown products?