Top 5 Reasons to Buy Local and Seasonal Foods

Why buy local? We are likely to have heard the argument for why local food is better for the environment, all those air miles, refrigeration units and plastic packaging, creates a huge carbon footprint. In addition we can probably also see how this positively affects our local economy and community. However, there are also some other compelling reasons to consider, most importantly our personal health. This topic is something that is something that is close to my heart so here’s my Top 5 Reasons to Buy Local and Seasonal Foods:

1. Locally grown food is fresher. Food in the supermarket has been in transit or cold-stored for days, weeks or even months in some cases. Whereas food that is purchased at your local farmer’s market or shop has often been picked within hours of selling it. The degree of freshness affects the nutritional value of the food. During the long haul from farm to fork, fresh fruits and vegetables are exposed to lots of heat, light and chemicals, these degrade some nutrients, especially the delicate vitamins like C and B. To ensure you’re getting the freshest possible check out your nearest farmer’s market and outlets: www.localfoods.org.uk
2. Locally grown fruits and vegetables are ripe.  Because the food will be handled less, locally grown fruit and vegetables does not have to stand up to the harshness of shipping. This means it is allowed to properly mature before it is picked, which gives it time to develop a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals. These other under-ripe harvested foods will display outward signs of ripening, but will not have the same nutritive value as if they had been allowed to fully ripen.
3. Local food just tastes better.  Ever tried a strawberry that you hand-picked in the Summer? Amazing eh, and very different from the plasticized versions we get in February in the supermarket from a polytunnel – enough said!!
4. Buying local food keeps us in touch with the seasons.  By eating with the seasons, we are eating foods when they are at their peak taste, are the most abundant, and the least expensive. Check out this amazing website that keeps you up to date with food for the seasons: www.eattheseasons.co.uk
5. Local produce is safer.  The saga’s we witness, such as large supermarkets selling ‘horse meat’ as ‘beef’, demonstrates perfectly the benefits of knowing where your food comes from. Food with less distance to travel from farm to plate is less likely to be contaminated or in this case sold as something it isn’t!

The debate and justification for local food is endless, I personally could talk all day on the subject. It is not about having a restrictive diet by any means, but more about applying common sense to way we procure food, most of the time. So, say goodbye to dull, average meals and discover the amazing world of sensational, healthful local and seasonal foods.