Why Eat Local?

Why Eat Locally?

- You are supporting local family farmers (number of farms are declining in USA).

- You know exactly where your food comes from.

- It connects you to your roots and community.

- The produce is picked while it’s ripe which has the most nutrients, versus picked before it’s ripe like most grocery stores do so they can ship it and shelf it. Within 24 hours of being picked, produce has more nutrients.

- There is no transportation.

- Animals are usually grown without all the extra yuck like added hormones or antibiotics! You can also find farms that only do free-range, pasture raised, and grass-fed!

- You’re eating produce in season!

- It tastes better & is full of flavor!

- Local food supports local economy.

- Eating this way helps the environment.

- Many times it is more affordable.

- Grass-fed beef has more nutrients than conventional grain-fed beef.

References:

Economic Research Service. (2019, April 24). [Decline in the number of U.S. farms]. U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=58268

Foodwise. (n.d.). 10 reasons to support farmers markets. https://foodwise.org/support/10-reasons-to-support-farmers-markets/

Virtua Health. (2023, April 17). Is eating locally grown food healthier for you? https://www.virtua.org/articles/is-eating-locally-grown-food-healthier-for-you

Michigan State University Extension. (2017, October 2). 7 benefits of eating local foods. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/7_benefits_of_eating_local_foods

Spring Power & Gas. (2021, May 14). 5 benefits of buying your meat locally. https://springpowerandgas.us/blog/5-benefits-of-buying-your-meat-locally/

Understanding Ag. (2020, June 8). Nutritional comparisons between grass-fed beef and conventional grain-fed beef. https://understandingag.com/nutritional-comparisons-between-grass-fed-beef-and-conventional-grain-fed-beef/#:~:text=Research%20results%20show%20that%20grass,compared%20to%20grain%2Dfed%20beef