Natural eating – local produce

We know eating fruit and vegetables is good for health. But how much attention do we pay to choosing those fruit and veggies? This article is dedicated to benefits of choosing local produce.

Buying locally produced food is good for the environment, economy, society, and health. Let’s explore each in a little more detail.

How does our choice to eat local benefit the environment? Well, imagine buying tomatillos from Mexico in Asia. They have to be stored in optimal conditions and transported all the way by flight contributing to enormous pollution and carbon footprint. In addition, huge amounts of packing materials, including plastics add to pollution. Locally sourced food, even if not from immediate farmers markets, is still more responsible and use of reusable bags will do away with most of the pollution caused by single use plastic bags. In addition to this aspect, locally grown plants that are indigenous to an area will by nature support biodiversity there. Seasonal fruit and vegetables are produced by nature in specific seasons for a reason. The weather and climatic conditions are most suitable, and this is in turn related to other plants, various animals, birds, and insects in the region. By supporting their cultivation, we help farming of these native plants which do a world of good to that region.

By buying locally, we support the local farmers, small stores, and hence the economy in the region. Local businesses provide employment to residents and they in turn spend their income in other local stores, circulating money in the local economy, thus strengthening communities.

Shopping locally means you might actually know your farmer! You might be able to see your fruit and veggies growing on the trees or plants. This increases interest in the food (maybe leading to a small home garden!), farming practices and is an opportunity to know local communities and their businesses.

Locally produced food is more fresh and hence more packed with nutrients. It tastes better and if organic, will boast of even further benefits. They don’t have to be stored for long or processed more in order to keep in optimal shape for longer.

While tasting exotic foods or food from far away lands is fun and a good thing, it should not become a common and accepted practice. Homogeneous availability of produce across the world has led to many species of plants becoming extinct. In our focus for food security, we have done away with so many resilient species that had naturally evolved to survive very difficult conditions. Respect of history, diversity and eating in a more harmonious way with nature may just about save this Earth, although many fear it is too late already!

One should be mindful of many factors that goes into putting produce in the shops and be responsible in choices. Let us enjoy all the local bounties more and consume lesser mass produced produce from far away lands. Eat healthy and enjoy!

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