It’s healthier for you and better for the environment
The role of the food we eat has come into the spotlight in addressing climate change, and it is now evident that we must do more to help global efforts by adapting our shopping and eating habits. More than half of our food now comes from abroad, mainly the EU, South America and South-East Asia. The further food travels, the greater the carbon footprint, and the greater the impact on the environment.
Local food is now a mainstream trend, with more and more people seeking out local options for fresh produce and other goods. But what qualifies as “local” food? And how big an impact does eating local food have on your health and the planet?
There is no legal definition of “local”, but the Campaign to Protect Rural England defines “local” as within 30 miles of where you live. But for some people, “buying local” is more about the values of small-scale and community-based producers than about a specific geographic configuration.
But why buy local food? Some commentators point to the drawbacks: the limited range of options, its often more expensive, and fresh products have a shorter shelf life. But there is an increasing demand from consumers to be told where our food comes from and the practices of the farmers that grow and produce it.
Buying locally has a wide range of benefits:
- It’s better for your health
Local foods often retain more nutrients because local produce is allowed to ripen naturally, while food that travels long distances is often picked before it’s ripe. Choosing fruits and vegetables grown in season may also be healthier. For example, when researchers compared the vitamin C content of broccoli grown in season with broccoli imported out of season, they found the latter had only half the vitamin C.
- It’s better for the environment
Food is one of the leading drivers of climate change. Eating more local food reduces CO2 emissions by reducing food miles — the distance food travels from farm to consumer. The Wildlife Trust estimates that if all our food came from within 20km of where we live, we could save £1.2 billion every year in environmental and congestion costs. Buying locally also means less packaging is used to keep food fresh and saleable, plus less plastic packaging means less waste getting into our seas and harming our wildlife.
- It’s better for the local economy
A recent report on the benefits of local food by the New Economics Foundation estimated that for every £1 spent in the local food network Growing Communities in London, a further £3.70 is generated in social, economic and environmental value. When you choose to buy locally grown food you are supporting a diverse food economy as well as creating jobs in farming and food production.
Shopping locally became a big thing during the pandemic, with nearly two-thirds of consumers in the UK rediscovering the High Street. Let’s keep the trend alive!
About the Author: Helen Say is a freelance copywriter and blogger www.cblservices.co.uk