Keep it Local

As I have written about numerous times here on Care2, there are many benefits to buying and eating locally grown food.

These include the simple fact that fresh fruits and vegetables just taste better. They are crunchier, juicier, sweeter and more flavorful. Another important benefit is that it is better for the environment because it reduces the need for transportation.

Since I am a farm writer, for me, the biggest benefit is that buying locally supports our local farmers, ranchers and preserves farmland. Buying local helps farmers and ranchers be profitable and this is what allows them to keep their land in farming.

As more and more people go in search of healthy food grown on local farms, there will be an increased need for local farmers and more farmland. American Farmland Trust is working to help build sustainable food and farming systems.

They not only work to preserve farmland but, to promote community and small family farms, protect local food systems, promote sound stewardship, and preserve water and soil quality.

So think about keeping it local whenever you shop. You don’t have to live in a farming community or even have a farmers’ market nearby, many grocery stories, restaurants, and even school cafeterias are now purchasing and/or selling locally grown food. To find local food near you, check Local Harvest or the Eat Well Guide.

You can support the work of American Farmland Trust by making a donation and in return, get some of their cool “No Farms No Food” merchandise in the process, and you can also show your support of local eating by taking the “Keep It Local Pledge”.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Annemarie W.

5:08PM PDT on Jun 6, 2011

I try to buy local as often as possible!!

June 6
send a green star

Judi G.

4:58PM PDT on May 27, 2011

Hortense,

This is actually in Edna Valley in San Luis Obispo County, taken quite a few years back. It is part of Edna Valley Winery.

May 27
send a green star

Nancy C.

9:38PM PDT on May 26, 2011

Good article. I try and buy local as often as I can

May 26
send a green star

Hortense B.

6:40PM PDT on May 26, 2011

Enquiring minds wanna know.... where was the photo taken? Looks incredibly like Flournoy, CA in the North Valley.

Kaitlyn K.

6:36PM PDT on May 26, 2011

Good to know, great to think on.

Halle P.

9:50AM PDT on May 26, 2011

My family grows and sells flowers at a farmers market. what we dont grow on our own we buy there! its so much better!

Monica D.

2:49AM PDT on May 26, 2011

Homegrown strawberries taste wonderful!

2:47AM PDT on May 26, 2011

Local is good, more environmentally friendly, reducing the use of fossil fuels for transport.

Beth W.

4:54PM PDT on May 25, 2011

We always try to buy local!!

May 25
send a green star

Helen K.

2:24PM PDT on May 25, 2011

This is SO true. I always buy my local fruits and vegetables - and my local wines for that matter.
Off topic a little bit, the same applies to buying plants. Always buy your plants from your LOCAL nursery - they do not sell plants which will not thrive/survive in their local environment.