Why You Should Eat Locally-Produced Foods

By Cliff Walsh

Given the massive growth and development of many communities, the last few decades have seen a decline in the local farmer. That trend appears to be reversing. Perhaps you've seen an increase in advertisements in your newspaper or in the produce aisle highlighting local farming. There are a lot of reasons why purchasing locally-grown produce is a good idea, but there are a few caveats as well. I hope to help you navigate this growing trend.

First, it's likely that local food was picked more recently than produce coming from across the country or another country, meaning it's fresher and more nutritious. Local food will likely last longer and have more nutrients. Many produce items lose nutrients quickly. Frozen and canned food are often more nutritious than some products on the shelf at the supermarket, although most would consider the latter to be fresher.

The more money you spend on local produce and other businesses, the greater the positive impact it has on your community. Higher income levels mean more disposable income for your neighbors and surrounding area. This can only help increase the spending and investing that takes place close to home. Furthermore, tax receipts will increase as well, meaning more funding for schools, roads, and other important public spending areas.

Local foods can also protect you when disaster strikes. Hurricane Sandy, which hit the Northeast in the fall of 2012, created massive disruptions to supply chains. The most hurtful were the delays in getting food and gasoline to local communities. The more you rely on long-distance goods, the greater the risk when disaster strikes. Consider eating locally-grown foods (and locally produced goods and services) as part of an emergency survival plan. It doesn't work though if you wait until the event happens to make the change. It's too late at that point.

Local produce can have negatives, though, that must be considered. If a farmer uses genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), all bets are off and the previously-mentioned benefits are negated. These types of crops should be avoided. Research suggests there are significant negative effects of continually ingesting them. I have also never seen an independent report that supports the use of GMOs.

Chemical pesticide usage is also a key consideration when looking at local farms. All of the previously-listed benefits of buying local produce are worthless if your food is covered in carcinogenic chemicals. I recommend purchasing local products that are USDA certified organic. Some farmers don't have the bankroll to pay for the USDA process, though. With them, there is a greater trust level needed. If they say they use organic farming principles, you can contact the buyer from the grocery store and ask to confirm. A local farm with a long-term reputation would find it hard to keep up a charade like using pesticides while claiming to be organic, but corners can definitely be cut. Do your homework. You are what you eat.

The benefits of buying local produce are significant if you avoid the dangers of genetically-modified seeds and cancer-causing chemicals. These dangers are too great to consider local products. It would be better to buy organic or non-GMO produce from greater distances.