Benefits of Eating Locally

Why eat locally?
1. Eating locally reduces carbon emissions. Food has less transportation time to get from the farm to your plate, thus the amount of C02 is reduced.
2. It supports farmers. Farmers are able to continue their business and produce quality foods when we support their business. Furthermore, they receive full profit from their work since the middle man or broker is cut out.
3. Foods are allowed to mature to their proper state. Produce isn't picked before ripeness, thus foods are able to develop fully in nutritional value and in texture.
4. They may be healthier in that they have a high nutritional value.
5. Locally grown foods taste better than foods that have had to travel across the country because they are fresher, more recently grown, have forgone the need for preservatives to keep them fresh and haven't been sitting in a truck being exposed to fumes.
6. Varied verities. Locally, small farmers produce different varieties of foods, like heirloom produce. Large corporations that need to feed masses generally only produce a select few of hybrid crops, so that they can be massed produced easily.
7. Finally, eating locally supports your community. There is always a benefit to eating a meal prepared by food grown on the land you live near.