5 Reasons to Buy Local

One thing I love about the summer is our Saturday ritual at the farmers market. There is something about the authenticity of the people they attract, the friendly nature of the farmers, and the vibrant energy that makes you smile. It’s a nice alternative to the mad-dash grocery store runs we all have to make, where the labels can leave you confused, misled, or unaware of what you are buying.

1) You know what you’re buying

I’ve found that most farmers that are committed to selling locally are passionate about their work and encourage customers to ask about their farm and its practices. It’s important to know where your food comes from, how it was raised, and what is actually in or on your food. If the farm isn’t certified organic you are able to ask what kind/if any pesticides are on your produce. You know the eggs that your buying are from hens that eat grass in the open field because you are able to ask questions or better yet see first hand with a visit. Isn’t that better than determining if “cage-free” really just means that they are in an overcrowded barn with nasty living conditions? Everyone has the right to know what they are eating.

2) You know what your money supports

I’m a firm believer in voting with your dollars. Anytime you give money to a company or buy a particular brand you are supporting the success of their business, their practices/policies, and how they treat their workers/customers. If you’re like me you don’t have extra time to research every company/brand you use to see if they are ethical in the quality of their products and business practices. However, when I go to the farmers market and meet the farmers I can see first hand where my money is going and what I’m supporting.

3) Fewer food miles 

According to The Natural Resources Defense Council most produce grown in the US travels an average of 1,500 miles from the farm to your plate. Imagine if you added in your bananas from Costa Rica and your apples from Poland. Buying local cuts out all the pollutants associated with the transportation of our food, not to mention the savings in fuel and other transportation cost. Reducing food mileage and supporting something that is sustainable means you’re setting up a better tomorrow for your kids and grandkids.

4) Packed with nutrients 

As soon as the produce has been harvested it starts to lose its nutrient density because it’s nutrient supply has been cut off. Along with time, heat and light also deplete the fruit/vegetable of nutrients. Usually, when you buy local you are purchasing produce that has been freshly picked. When I get my CSA box I know everything in it was in the ground earlier that day or yesterday vs. the average produce (see #3 travel takes time).

5) Promotes community

When it comes down to the important things in life the people around you are the ones that give you strength. If there is one thing I learned from the 2010 Flood in Nashville it’s that community and the love and support of your neighbors is vital. But it doesn’t have to just be in a moment of crisis because we can support each other right now. Spending money with a person who lives in your community keeps your money here and helps your community thrive. Not to mention the emotional factor of personally knowing the person that is feeding your family and their knowing the faces and lives they are supporting with food.

Purchasing something is always an exchange of value. You are giving money to someone in exchange for something you perceive as valuable, in this case food, but when you buy locally I think there is more to the equation. You are not only giving your money but you are giving your support of their mission, love to a neighbor, and laying the groundwork for a solid community. 

The farmers I buy from are giving me more than food, they are giving me the love and time they poured into making and caring for that food. Most of the local farmers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting are passionate about giving the best quality to their customers and don’t take lightly that they are feeding/nourishing/fueling the minds and bodies of our loved ones. Imagine if every business you bought from had real relationships with their customers, felt accountable to them, and carried these same morals and values…sadly it’s almost unfathomable.

If you’re like me, it’s not realistic for our family to buy 100% local, but I believe each small choice makes a difference! Here’s my challenge for you this week:

• Seek out one place that sells local produce, maybe your farmers market, local grocer/butcher, or curbside farmer – Local Harvest is a great resource
• Introduce yourself and ask them one question about the produce/meat or their farm
• When you purchase something know it has far greater meaning than a piece of food

You are what you eat – so when you have knowledge of what you’re eating, appreciation for the hands that grew it, and pride in knowing you supported someone who thinks about you, the consumer, over the bottom line, you’re getting a lot more out of that piece of food.

Bonus Tip

If you want to go all in you can sign up for a Community Share Agriculture (CSA) with your local farmer.  Basically, a CSA is when you purchase a part of a farm’s crop for the growing season. For example, my husband and I just entered our second year participating in a CSA with a local organic farm. We bought a half-share, so during growing season (May-Oct) we get a box every other week with freshly picked produce from the farm. Not only are we supporting something we believe in, being a part of a CSA does save money on our grocery bills (I consider this a win-win)! It does require me to use produce that is in season, but who doesn’t like trying new recipes from time to time!

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