Eating locally doesn’t mean getting take-out from a nearby Italian restaurant. The most simple definition of eating local is stopping by your local farmer’s market and shopping for fresh produce. In the United States, the average meal travels more than 1,500 miles to get to your plate. Imagine the freshness and taste of the products by the time it lands in your kitchen; they may be gone by then.
Moreover, the country’s population of locavores or people who choose to eat more locally is rapidly increasing. A consumer survey revealed 96% of people believe that a product must be grown, produced, and handled within 100 miles of its market to retain its freshness, quality, and taste.
Below, we touch on different points, including the benefits of eating locally to drive you toward a healthy lifestyle.
What are the benefits of eating locally?
The concept of eating local is primarily based on distance; the basic idea is to cut down the miles your food needs to travel before it gets to your table. The food you get in your local market, such as fruits and vegetables, tends to have a higher nutritional value, mainly because they’re prepared fresh without processing or getting through an artificial harvesting process to outpace the ripeness.
Here is a list of benefits of eating locally:
- Eating locally benefits the environment. When you shop in a local market, the food doesn’t have to travel from one corner to another corner, reducing greenhouse emissions and consequently improving the carbon footprints.
- When you eat locally, you say hello to good health and well-being. Fruits and vegetables, including green beans, broccoli, tomatoes, kale, red peppers, and apricots are prone to nutrient loss when they travel long distances, so it’s always good to shop for these items locally.
- You’re supporting local farmers and shopkeepers. Take advantage of local green juice delivery to taste fresh, organic, pure juice, which will be far better than what you get at a supermarket. The idea is to support your local communities to help them strive and thrive while they continue to produce quality products.
- It also eliminates the need for intermediaries from the supply chain, which benefits local farmers and business owners. When you purchase directly from farmers at the local farmer’s market, all the profit will go to them.
- When you buy from local producers, you’re contributing to the local economy.
Tips for eating more locally
If you’re all set to turn into a locavore, here are a few tips that’ll help you find easy ways to eat locally.
Shop at your local farmer’s market
Think of the last time you had freshly squeezed juice. With the availability of processed juice and other products, we’ve forgotten what new things taste like. This is precisely why you must go to your nearby farmer’s market. These markets often stock a wide assortment of colorful and vibrant seasonal fruits, freshly baked bread, and free-range meats. Shopping locally not only means getting fresh food at good prices, but it also allows you to meet people within your community.
Have your own garden
Trust us, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself. There’s nothing more local than growing your own herbs, fruits, and vegetables. You can choose the kind of plants you want to grow and nurture without artificial fertilizers. Plus, gardening is a healthy habit, which takes you closer to the earth.
Become part of community-supported agriculture (CSA)
If visiting a farmer’s market looks like a lot, sign up for a CSA program that brings fresh produce to your doorstep weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on the subscription plan. You can choose the food you want, such as dairy, poultry, and fresh produce while opting for the subscription plan. It works the same way as Chef V, which provides organic green drink delivery to your home.
Grow with the season
With the availability of cold storage units, you get access to all fruits and vegetables throughout the year, which isn’t a healthy choice for people turning toward a balanced lifestyle. The best idea is to try seasonal produce to enjoy the freshness and unbeatable quality.
Look for farm-to-table restaurants
Give up eating at a fast food restaurant that only serves processed or reheated food. Instead, try eating at a local farm-to-table restaurant. At some of these, you can witness how your meals are prepared, using fresh and locally procured ingredients. In fact, the menus are designed to let customers know how the meals are prepared and with what products.
The bottom line
Eating locally isn’t just a lifestyle. The philosophy ties you back to your local community through food. With simple steps like shopping at your local market or small businesses, you’re helping farmers, local producers, and their families continue producing the freshest and tastiest food. It also helps contribute to the economy and a healthy environment.
So, the next time you search for a juice cleanse near me, give it a try at your local juicery, or you can visit Chef V, a platform serving organically produced green juices, plant-based food items, and protein shakes. Our specially curated detox plans help our clients meet their body goals.