The Importance of Local Agriculture

We live in a world of convenience and while that has its place and is a blessing in so many ways, it also makes it so easy to not think twice about where our food comes from.

All we have to do is walk into a grocery store and we have every kind of food, all year long from all over the world. But have you ever thought about the role that local agriculture plays in our food supply? Let’s take a deep dive.

The Importance of Local Agriculture

1. It boosts the local economy

If food is coming from within your community and staying in your community when you buy it – that’s amazing! You’re pouring and keeping your money within the community which boosts your local economy. It creates more jobs and is all-around great for everyone!

2. Reduces your carbon footprint

This isn’t something the average person may think about but it’s important nonetheless. When we have the privilege of walking into a grocery store and having all the food we could ever need at the ready, it’s easy to not give a second thought to where it came from. But most of our food has taken a train, a plane, a boat and a truck just to get to us! That’s a lot of emissions. When food is grown and bought locally it takes 99% of those emissions out of the equation.

3. Know where your food is coming from

This is more important than people may think but as we’ve already discussed, most of us don’t think about where our food comes from. But knowing where your food comes from makes it all the more beneficial to consume and to connect with.

4. It’s fresher

As a bulk of our food supply has to take quite the journey to get to us, it can often be days or weeks old by the time it hit grocery store shelves. And since some of it doesn’t even make the trek it’s automatic waste. I love getting local produce so fresh it still has some dirt!

5. Fewer chemicals

Since local agriculture doesn’t have to travel very far it’s often less pumped full of chemicals to preserve it making it healthier for you and the planet!

Related reading:

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There are so many vital roles that supporting local agriculture brings to the table. Here are just 5 benefits and why you should consider shopping locally whenever possible!

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