The increasing demands of our rapidly growing population are taking their toll on the planet. Efforts to use less and limit our impact on the environment favor eating food of local origin because it cuts down on the extra costs associated with transportation. If the food we eat is shipped, trucked or flown to us from a distance the farmers' profit margin becomes insignificant. Local markets are resupplied more frequently than commercial grocers and generally supply fresher produce. If you feel the urge to change some environmentally unsavory habits, switching your grocery shopping to a location that supports local farmers is a great start.
The benefits of purchasing locally grown food are many!
Fresh Food Tastes Better
The time it takes to get from the farm to the consumer is short. The produce arrives fresher and likely tastier.
Shifting priority from packaging, shelf life and shipping to the nutrition, quality and taste of the food results in it being noticeably healthier.
Our Health and the environment’s
Small farms generally use less aggressive pesticide regiments than large factory farms. Small farms also grow a wider variety of produce supporting a larger agricultural gene pool that is diverse and more adaptable.
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| Heirloom Tomatoes |
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| Generic Tomatoes |
Eat Local For the Economy
Farmers receive only 20 cents on the dollar when their clients aren’t near due to the extra expenses they must pay. This means packaging, transportation, processing, marketing and refrigeration together add up to more than the cost of the food itself.
Local farmers deal with no intermediaries and receive full retail price for their produce.
Reduce Global Warming
It is estimated that the average “fresh” food item travels thousands of kilometers to get to its destination. Eat local food and the amount of fuel spent on your food is minimal.
Challenge Yourself
Ensuring 10% of your grocery bill is spent on local produce can make all the difference!
Finding Farmers’ Markets
Located on pier 20, 1209 Marginal road, Halifax’s seaport farmers’ market is the oldest farmers’ market in North America (1750)!
To find other famers’ markets
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