Switch to Local Foods for a Healthier Diet

Do you eat local food? Most Americans do not. Shopping in a chain grocery store, while convenient, usually provides consumers with a myriad of produce choices from various states and countries, but seldom does it provide locally grown food. It is not uncommon to see California strawberries sold in grocery stores in New York State year round, including the month of June, which happens to be strawberry season in New York.

It order to eat a healthier, more environmentally friendly diet, consumers should strive to shop for local foods. Here are four reasons why a local food diet is the smart choice.

Local foods taste better.

Produce shipped cross-country is picked before it becomes fully ripe in order to prevent spoilage on the long journey. Once this fruit ripens in the truck, it will often have the appearance of being fully ripe, but will lack sweetness and remain firmer in texture than sun-ripened fruit. The taste difference between freshly picked fruits and berries and those picked several days ago and shipped thousands of miles is like the taste difference between real fruit and cardboard.

Local, in-season foods are cheaper.

There is a cost associated with shipping foods thousands of miles that is not present when locally grown food is purchased in season. Gas prices are high and the cost of gas to ship produce is passed on to the consumer. Locally grown food, purchased directly from a local farmer, is cheaper simply because there are no shipping costs.

Local foods are better for the environment.

The environment benefits in many ways when consumers choose local foods. Less shipping means less gas is used for transportation. Less gas decreases the amount of exhaust and greenhouse gases that are spewed into the environment. The local environment also benefits when farmers are able to make a living growing and selling produce. Consumers can talk directly to local farmers and pick produce that is grown without the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers.

Local foods are richer in vitamins and minerals.

When produce is picked at the peak of ripeness, it has the most vitamins and minerals that it will ever have. Eating that produce within a few hours enables the consumer to get the maximum nutritional benefit. As produce sits in a truck and on a grocery store shelf, it gradually loses some of its vitamins and mineral content.

Consumers that choose locally grown produce get a fresher, better tasting, nutrition packed product than consumers who shop for convenience only. Buy local, save money and enjoy your next meal!