Why Buy Local Foods
compiled by Hilary DuBose.

1.    Taste and Freshness: Local food tastes better and is fresher because it is not shipped long distances from other states or countries. 

2.    You strengthen your local economy: Buying local foods supports local producers and farmers. 

3.    You’ll support endangered family farms: Small scale family farms are coming under increasing pressure from large agribusinesses.  By buying local foods, you’ll ensure the future of family farms because more of your money goes directly to the farmer. 

4.    It’s healthier: Small-scale farmers generally use less chemicals (pesticides, growth hormones, insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers, and preservatives).  This is healthier for you AND the environment.  Furthermore, fresh produce loses nutrients quickly – the less time it takes for it to get to market, the healthier it is for you.

5.    You support biodiversity: Small family farms are more likely to grow different varieties of crops that are best suited to their region of the world.  This helps preserve a wider gene pool, which is critical for long-term food security. 

6.    Local food is GMO free: Local farmers don’t have access to genetically modified seed and most wouldn’t use it even if they could. 

7.    It protects the environment: Local food doesn’t travel far.  This reduces carbon dioxide emissions from transportation, packing materials, and energy used for refrigeration. 

8.    It preserves the rural landscape: If farmers make enough money from selling their foods, they are less likely to sell their land for development, thus preserving the rural landscape that so many people appreciate