For others, supporting community economics and building relationships with local food producers is incredibly important, as is protecting the environment. Whatever the reason, buying locally grown food is an important movement to support within your community. Locally grown food is a broad term that describes food that was grown within a geographical region that could be considered local to your particular area. When buying locally, you may choose to buy food that was grown as locally as possible.
Locally grown food can be produce like fruits and vegetables, or dairy products and eggs, or even locally raised meats. Other local food producers can grow certain types of foods year round within greenhouses or orchards. This will often depend on your local climate and your community. Other popular foods to purchase locally include dairy products, like milk and cheese from cows or goats.
Even specialty foods like honey, nut butters or canned foods can often be purchased from local producers. As concerns grow over the sustainability of meat production, many families are choosing to purchase their meats from local producers. The more steps between you and your food supply, the greater the risk of food contamination.
Buying directly from local producers reduces the risk of eating unsafe food. Choosing to purchase locally grown food is an important way to support your local economy, contribute to your community, improve your health and do your part to protect the environment. Getting involved in the local food system helps us to gain back the separation we created between humans and food production. Because of this, people are looking to repair their detachment from food production and actively learn more about their local food economy.
When we purchase local products, we support our local farmers and help them successfully operate their business. When this happens and farmers are compensated well for their products, they are less likely to sell their land, which would often be redeveloped for industrial or commercial use. These uses would release significantly more greenhouse gas emissions than farming does and would further eliminate habitats for the wildlife living on the local area.
Source: Giles Farm. Creates Fresh Produce : By purchasing and eating locally, consumers are able to appreciate produce that is fresh and healthy. Many local farmers tend to keep their products organic, preservative free, and pesticide free. This is not only advantageous for the health of consumers, but is beneficial for the environment as well. By not using pesticides and other harmful toxins, farmers are improving air quality and preventing water and air pollution.
Furthermore, since the food is local and is directly given to supermarkets, there is often less waste. For instance, many imported goods often go bad before they are purchased, producing lots of waste.
By buying local, this is avoided and food waste is significantly less. At UW Food Services we support over 75 local farmers and aim to provide as much local and fresh produce as we can! Our residences and some of our food units on campus can be your starting place when it comes to eating locally sourced food.
Check out this video of UW Food Services purchasing local produce from the Elmira auction and bringing it back to campus! Want to purchase fresh produce and create your own homemade meal? Stay posted and follow our social media accounts to learn more about this upcoming event! Because produce from your nearest market is likely to come from farms near your home, the cost of transporting it from the garden to your fridge comes at a much lower price for the environment. Being smart about produce choices and loading up your eco friendly bag with in-season, local produce is a delicious way to fuel your family — with significantly less damage to the environment.
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