Comparing Organic Food with Locally-Grown Food

Comparing Organic Food with Locally-Grown Food

Comparing Organic Food with Locally-Grown Food

When we talk about organic food, there are established standards to follow. However, "local food" doesn't have a fixed definition. It could come from your nearby community, your state, the region you're in, or even your country. Throughout most of the year, it's often possible to purchase food that's grown close to you, like at a farmer's market.

Let's explore the advantages of food that's grown locally:

Financial Benefits: When you buy locally grown food, the money you spend remains in your local economy. This means a larger portion of your payment goes directly to the farmer, rather than being used for things like advertising and delivery.

Reduced Transportation: In the United States, for instance, the average distance a meal travels from the farm to your plate is more than 1,500 miles. Sometimes, produce has to be harvested before it's fully ripe and then artificially ripened after being transported. Alternatively, food might go through a lot of processing in factories, involving preservatives, irradiation, and other methods to ensure it stays fresh during transportation.

Freshness: 

Local food is harvested at the right time, when it's ripe and bursting with flavor.

It's important to note that some small-scale local farmers use organic techniques to grow their produce. However, they might not have the resources to obtain official organic certification. If you're curious, consider paying a visit to a farmer's market and strike up a conversation with the farmers. This way, you can find out about the methods they use to grow their food.

Content Source Courtesy: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-food