what are three benefits of buying local fruits and vegetables

^{Buying locally grown food can help support your local economy in the following ways:}

• It Keeps Money in Your Community: When you choose to spend money on locally grown food, it keeps your money in your community. ...
• Local Farmers Keep More Profit: Because local farmers don’t have the same transportation and distribution costs as large agricultural businesses, they can retain more of the profits from their sales. ...
• It Creates Jobs: Small local farms are also excellent for the economy because they create jobs. ...
• It Supplies Other Local Businesses: Local food producers can supply their meat and produce to other local businesses, such as restaurants, schools and hospitals. ...
• It Keeps Taxes Down: Local farm operations can typically contribute more to the economy in tax revenue than they will ever use in services. ...

Why buy local fruit and vegetables?

Buying local fruit reduces the carbon footprint that is a result of shipping it far distances. In addition, buying local fruit helps support farmland and green space.

What are the benefits of buying local food?

It Improves Overall Well-being: One of the most satisfying parts of buying local farm-grown food is knowing that you’re contributing to your community, economy and the environment. The combined benefits lead to an improved sense of wellbeing and fulfillment knowing your purchases make a difference.

Why buy local produce?

From fruits and vegetables to meat and dairy, local produce offers us something different from the products we can buy in a big mainstream supermarket. What’s more, most of the time, locally grown and produced food hasn’t traveled as far, is produced with less shelf life enhancing additives, and supports local growers and the community.

Why buy fresh fruit?

Buying fresh, local fruit helps to support the local economy since the money “stays close to home” and supports local jobs.

Why is it better to buy local fruits and vegetables?

Locally grown food creates important economic opportunities, provides health benefits and helps to reduce environmental impact. It also helps bring the community together and gives people the opportunity to make a difference. Additionally, many people feel local food tastes better and lasts longer.

What are 3 benefits of locally grown food?

Benefits of Eating LocalLocal Foods Are Fresher (and Tastes Better!) ... Local Foods Are Seasonal. ... Local Foods Help to Preserve Farmland and Green Space. ... Local Foods Promote Food Safety. ... Local Foods Stimulate Variety. ... Local Foods Support Your Community's Economy. ... Local Foods Create a Sense of Community.

What are the benefits of buying local foods?

The quality of food is higher. It's no secret that locally-grown food tastes better. ... It's more nutritious. Eating local is not only tastier, it's also healthier! ... Eating locally means you'll be eating in season. ... It is an investment in your community. ... It cares for the environment. ... It is more likely to be organic.

What are the benefits of locally grown organic vegetables?

The Benefits of Organic and Locally Grown FoodsOrganic produce contains fewer pesticides. ... Organic food is often fresher because it doesn't contain preservatives that make it last longer. ... Organic farming tends to be better for the environment. ... Organic food is GMO-free. ... Financial: Money stays within the local economy.More items...•

What are two benefits of buying locally grown food quizlet?

What are two benefits of buying locally grown food?...Consumers think its is healthier than pesticide grown food.Organic produce protects air, water, and land.Organic produce protects non target organisms from pesticides and herbicides.

Why should we buy local fruit?

Buying local fruit reduces the carbon footprint that is a result of shipping it far distances. In addition, buying local fruit helps support farmland and green space.

What are the benefits of growing your own food?

Five reasons to grow your own food include:More Nutritious. When growing your own food, your diet is more diverse and healthy, packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.Stay Active. Gardening is a fun way to get outside for some fresh air and physical activity. ... Get Vitamin D. ... Save Money. ... Better for the Environment.

What are the benefits of food from the farm?

Farm-to-table meals are a delicious and convenient answer.Farm-to-Table Meals are the Best Fast Food. ... Fresh Foods are Better For Everyone's Health. ... You'll Get a More Varied Diet. ... You Know What You're Getting. ... You'll Consume Fewer Calories. ... You Get Peace of Mind. ... Buying Local Benefits Your Community.

Why is it important to buy local fruit?

Buying fresh, local fruit helps to support the local economy since the money “stays close to home” and supports local jobs. Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally-owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers, ...

Why is buying local fruit better for the environment?

Better for the environment. Buying local fruit reduces the carbon footprint that is a result of shipping it far distances. In addition, buying local fruit helps support farmland and green space.

Why do kids pick their own fruit?

In addition, it promotes a sense of community. It provides the opportunity to actually meet ...

Why is it important to wait longer for fruit to arrive at a retail location?

In addition, the longer it takes for fruit to arrive at a retail location, the greater the risk of contamination and food safety issues.

How long does it take for a local farmer to sell fruit?

Local farmers ensure that their fruit is picked at peak ripeness, when they are at their tastiest, and are typically sold within 24 hours or less. The flavors are noticeably better than fruit that was harvested early and shipped thousands of miles to be distributed at a retail store days later.

Why is it important to eat fruit after it's picked?

According to downtoearth.org, “fruits and vegetables lose their optimal nutritional value as soon as they are picked. When picked, vitamins such as C, E, A, and some B vitamins begin to deteriorate and thus decrease. Other factors such as the exposure to air, artificial lights, and temperature changes (during transport) can also contribute to the decrease in nutritional value. Thus, the longer the food sits the more it decreases in nutritional value.” In addition, the longer it takes for fruit to arrive at a retail location, the greater the risk of contamination and food safety issues.

Why do vitamins decrease in value?

Other factors such as the exposure to air, artificial lights, and temperature changes (during transport) can also contribute to the decrease in nutritional value.

1. Support Local Farmers

One of the main benefits of purchasing local produce is that it supports those in your community.

2. Fresher Food

It’s no surprise that you’ll get much fresher and tastier food when you buy locally. Many times, by the time big farm-produced food reaches the shelves, it’s close to reaching its expiration date.

3. Better for the Environment

When you buy food from a grocery store, you’re monetarily supporting all of the water waste, oil and gas for transportation, and pesticides that corporate farms use to produce agriculture.

4. Encourages Diet Diversity

Buying local produce is excellent for a healthy diet. Grocery stores are full of over-processed and chemical-filled food, hidden behind confusing, scientific terms on food labels.

5. Helps the Community

Purchasing local produce can help the farmers that grow and harvest them. However, when you buy locally, you can help the whole community.

Buying Local Produce: Plenty of Benefits

Whether you buy straight from local farmers at markets in your area or frequent restaurants that get their produce in bulk from farms, buying locally grown produce is much better than going to the grocery store.

Why is it important to buy locally grown food?

There are many benefits to buying locally grown food, and each person makes their choice for different reasons. Locally grown food creates important economic opportunities, provides health benefits and helps to reduce environmental impact. It also helps bring the community together and gives people the opportunity to make a difference.

Why is local food better than other foods?

This is for a number of reasons, which includes the lack of chemicals as well as greater freshness. Local food is also a better way to ensure you eat seasonally. When you eat food that is grown within its natural season, the flavors are much fuller and it tastes better.

What is locally grown food?

Locally grown food is a broad term that describes food that was grown within a geographical region that could be considered local to your particular area. Whether it’s within your county, city, neighborhood or even your own backyard, locally grown food can take many forms.

Why is it important to support local food producers?

For others, supporting community economics and building relationships with local food producers is incredibly important, as is protecting the environment. Whatever the reason, buying locally grown food is an important movement to support within your community.

What to buy at a farmers market?

Other popular foods to purchase locally include dairy products, like milk and cheese from cows or goats. Local, organic and farm fresh eggs are another popular food that families pick up at the weekend farmers’ market. Even specialty foods like honey, nut butters or canned foods can often be purchased from local producers.

Why is farming important?

For many families, farming is more than a business — it’s a way of life that they are trying to preserve for future generations. By purchasing locally grown food, you can help your local food producers carry on their family traditions and support family development.

How often do farmers markets take place?

Depending on your community, your farmers’ markets may take place one to two times per week. It may also depend on the season and your climate, as some markets are open year-round.

Why is local food better than other foods?

Local food can be better for your health for a few reasons. To begin with, local foods often retain more nutrients. Local produce is allowed to ripen naturally, while food that travels long distances is often picked before it’s ripe. And food picked fresh and in season doesn’t have far to travel before being sold.

Why is supporting local food important?

Supporting local food aids your local economy. By choosing food produced locally, you’re supporting your community, and you help keep local producers in business. Local food creates community and connection.

What fruits are ripe when they are imported?

When they are imported and out of season, fruits like tomatoes, bananas, and pears are often picked unripe. And then, they are artificially “ripened” with ethylene gas. Also, foods from local growers may contain less (or no) pesticides. Farmers have to pay an extra fee to become certified organic.

What is a co-op grocery store?

A co-op is an organization that may look and feel like a conventional grocery store or natural foods store , but it’s owned by customers. Customers can purchase a share of the store. Food co-ops often carry food from local farmers, as well as other food items from local producers.

Why is it important to vote every time you shop?

And this is important for many reasons: It helps you develop a connection with food. You become more aware of what you’re putting in your body. You vote every time you shop, and with knowledge comes the ability to support foods and growers you believe in.

What do farmers markets offer?

Depending on your area and the time of year, farmer’s markets may offer everything from fresh produce and flowers to freshly baked bread, as well as fresh-pressed juices and even specialty items like homemade cashew-based gelato. Farmers markets also often offer local clothing and jewelry made by local artisans.

What is local food?

But one common definition of “local” food is food grown within 100 miles of its point of sale or consumption. But it’s up to you to decide what buying local food means to you. Maybe it means foods grown and produced in your state or your region.