I want to go Local!-Benefits Of Local Foods
The organic and locally grown foods movements are growing out of grass-roots efforts on several fronts to improve the quality of traditional foods to an extent that is changing the way we think about what we put in our bodies. Organic food is becoming more popular than ever with consumers who want to give their families healthy, delicious foods that are also better for the environment. The movement is also influencing the way organic standards are being met by major food manufacturers. While consumers will continue to be skeptical about synthetic additives, pesticides and hormones found in many conventional products, they are also increasingly supportive of locally grown foods.
Other benefits of eating local food, Fresher food as its not stores and traveled a long way, supports seasonal needs, helps you discover new foods, helps you eat mindfully and if you even go a step futher and choose to grow your self!? it produces much less waste.
One of the biggest concerns of consumers when it comes to buying locally grown foods is the effect it will have on the environment. Growing vegetables and fruits within the United States means that greenhouse gases are released intoI want t the atmosphere. When these gases come into contact with the air, they act like acid rain, depleting the oxygen levels and causing further damage to the environment. But the Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines for keeping these gases below the national average. Therefore, if you are serious about playing your part in minimizing the carbon footprint of your food, you should take steps to make sure you are buying produce from local farms.
Even beyond the fact that local farmers do not contribute to global warming, many consumers have become concerned about eating locally. That’s understandable; with the number of fast-food restaurants that have expanded nationwide, the idea of eating a hamburger at your local burger restaurant is pretty far-fetched. But many restaurant owners have realized the power of advertising and have began to market locally produced or prepared dishes. Many of these restaurants have added organic farming to their menus in an effort to draw people who may not otherwise consider eating organic food. In turn, these restaurants have drawn in a growing population of health conscious people, many of whom now understand that eating locally produced food can have a significant impact on reducing the carbon footprint of their dining experiences.
By purchasing locally, you can also support your own community’s agriculture. Many producers and processors source their foods from small, local farms that go out of their way to protect the yield from pests so that the consumers get fresh agricultural produce. For instance, many local firms are known to have bought pre-fabricated steel buildings for sale and kept the interiors pristine to avoid pest infestation, so that the crops can remain fresh by the time farming trucks come to pick up the produce. Alternatively, there have been many others who are known to have created storage areas in their houses and barricaded the area with fences just for the sake of protecting the yield from wild animals till they take the harvest to the local markets. Yet others are believed to have hired trucking services to transport the yields instantly after the harvest.
However, this is just a glimpse of what local farmers do to ensure great food quality. It has been rumored that some farmers are considering the use of clever Greenhouse Design to produce good food throughout the year. So, after all that they do, they deserve support from the community. Moreover, if you purchase locally produced foods, you can promote a sustainable, green economy. You can choose to buy organic foods, which often reflect the same environmental philosophies as traditional organic foods, or you can purchase non-organic meats, fruits, vegetables and dairy. Either way, the purchase and consumption of these items supports the farmers and the communities where they are grown, and enables farmers to invest in things like precision agronomy to help them manage their farms as best as they can and get the best yields possible in the future so that they are able to meet demand.
In the end, organic farming provides a way to enjoy great tasting foods without all of the chemicals, pesticides and other synthetic materials that go into the making of traditional grown foods. In many cases, organic farming does not use chemicals, but rather relies on the natural pest control and environmental conservation methods used by farmers for years. These practices have led to some amazing developments in the production of organic foods. In addition to promoting local farming, consumers should also strive to buy foods that have been processed and packaged in ways that protect both the environment and the health of the consumer. While there are some organic foods that cannot meet the demands of a healthy diet, it is clear that the demand is rising.
