Locally Grown Food as an Environmentally Friendly Choice
If you're one of the many that has wholeheartedly adopted a more eco-conscious lifestyle and are looking for new ways to be more environmentally friendly, a great idea is to start shopping for more locally grown food. Sure, you're all decked out in your organic cotton clothing, driving a hybrid, carrying reusable shopping bags, etc. but there are still steps that you can take to make a difference.
It is truly amazing how much of an impact we can make while we do one of American's favorite activities – shopping. Reusable grocery bags, packaging made from recycled materials, organic foods, and so on all help to contribute to a much more eco-friendly shopping experience than one would have had 10 years ago. An re-emergence of locally grown foods is helping our efforts.
Here's why:
1. Locally grown foods do not have to be transported very far, cutting down on fuel consumption, pollution, and costs.
2. A growing majority of locally grown food is organically grown, meaning no harmful chemicals or pesticides were used.
3. Buying from a local business supports your local economy, and many local economies need a some stimulation.
4. Locally grown food, especially in rural areas, is grown by small farmers. By purchasing their goods you not only support them but you als take away from the large, conventional farmers who notoriously use toxic chemicals to grow crops.
5. Locally grown means fresher food most of the time. Freshness translates to more taste and less spoilage.
It's fantastic that people throughout the world are doing their part to help the planet. Simply switching to reusable grocery bags contributes to saving marine life and reduces the amount of money your town has to spend on cleaning up litter and waste associated with plastic bags. Likewise, purchasing foods that are locally grown can help our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and toxic chemical use.
By taking steps to benefit our planet we also take steps to benefit all of mankind. So the next time you're out shopping, take the extra step to shop for local goods and contribute to the growing green movement.