Why buy local?

 

Local food or the local food movement is an effort to build more locally based, self-reliant food economies - a system in which sustainable

food production,distribution, and consumption are

integrated to enhance the economic, environmental

and social health of a particular place.

 

 

So what does that really mean for you?

 

 

THERE ARE MANY GOOD REASONS TO BUY LOCALLY GROWN FOOD

YOU'LL GET EXCEPTIONAL TASTE AND FRESHNESS
Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local farmers can offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.

YOU'LL STRENGTHEN YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY
Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community. Getting to know the farmers who grow your food builds relationships based on understanding and trust, the foundation of strong communities.

YOU'LL SUPPORT ENDANGERED FAMILY FARMS
There's never been a more critical time to support your farming neighbors. With each local food purchase, you ensure that more of your money spent on food goes to the farmer.

YOU'LL SAFEGUARD YOUR FAMILY'S HEALTH
Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised enables you to choose safe food from farmers who avoid or reduce their use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified seed in their operations. Buy food from local farmers you trust.

YOU'LL PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
Local food doesn't have to travel far. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and packing materials. Buying local food also helps to make farming more profitable and selling farmland for development less attractive.

BUYING LOCAL IS EASY
Use the internet to find a farmer, farmers' market, farm stand, CSA, restaurant, retailer, or other local food outlet near you.

When you buy local food, you vote with your food dollar. This ensures that family farms in your community will continue to thrive and that healthy, flavorful, plentiful food will be available for future generations.

 

 

 

Article Source

http://buylocalpa.org/why-buy-local/