We live in a convenience-driven era, where anything and everything we wish to eat, magically appears on our dining tables. This has made us ignorant about eating by the seasons. We have forgotten how to embrace the produce grown in our backyards and in our neighborhoods. Here are some solid reasons to change these eating patterns and going back to being a local, in a true sense.
You’ll save the planet, like for real: When you eat foreign foods , they have to travel miles to reach your home. I am no expert and know very little about the complete impact of the fossil fuel used for this food transportation. What I do know is, that if this food transportation business keeps growing at its current pace, we will have to pay a hefty price for the climate change it will cause.
Local foods are tastier: We are super lucky to have access to every possible fruit or vegetable all year round. But have you ever wondered, ‘why the tomatoes from your farmer’s market are way more juicer than the imported ones from the supermarket?’ Because they are grown organically and plucked just hours before they land on your plate. When you eat foods that are not in accordance with the season, you either end up with old foods that have been preserved or foods that are plucked way before the ideal time and then artificially ripened. These chemical processes rob the produce of its original taste.
Local foods are fresher: Local Produce is grown, put in a truck and sold at the farmers market. This usually happens in less than 24 hours after the fruit or the vegetable is ready. On the contrary, the fancy imported foods travel from far off distances. They stay packed in wooden crates and cardboard boxes for days, weeks, and at times months before they are consumed.
Local and seasonal produce is more nutritious: In order to accommodate the lengthy transit times, foreign produce needs to be picked up earlier and it later ripens on the way to your hometown. The fruit doesn’t really get a chance to develop its full set of nutrition before being cut off the plant. Moreover, a fraction of whatever little nutrition is present diminishes along the way.
Local foods are easier on your wallet: When you eat local, you only pay for the vegetable. There are no extra transportation costs and preservation charges. Also, the seasonal produce grows in abundance, and it easily available making it cheaper than its off-season peers.
It helps the local farmers: Farmers form a very important part of our community. It feels good to support the people who put in their time and energy growing fruits and vegetables for us. Besides, eating locally also supports the farmer’s families, the local jobs, and the country’s economy. Lastly, farming activities by the local people also preserve the beautiful farmlands in the neighborhood areas.
