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Energy conservation: To reduce energy used for long-distance food transport. Grocery store food travels an average of approximately 1,500 miles from production site to consumer plates! (Leopold Center, 2001)
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Freshness and flavor: Locally grown foods are transported much shorter distances, which results in a fresher product with increased shelf-life and increased flavor.
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Food safety: Locally grown foods serve smaller areas and are less likely to be targeted for intentional food contamination. Local foods are also produced on a smaller scale, reducing exposure to contaminants from large processing facilities.
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Food security: Dependence on large producers from distant sources has the potential to increase food insecurity. Any break in the food system could prevent foods from arriving at destinations.
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Strengthens local communities: Buying and selling locally grown foods strengthens local communities by creating and increasing quality relationships throughout the community.
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Health: Locally grown foods are more likely to be grown in soil that is not leached of natural nutrients, thus passing on these nutrients to the produce.
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Knowing the source: Our lives revolve around all aspects of food. As such, knowing where our food comes from creates a sense of personal involvement and responsibility.
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Strengthening local economy: Buying and selling locally grown foods keeps the money in our communities rather than exporting it to distant, multinational corporations.
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Supporting family farms and farmland preservation: Buying local foods supports family farmers who are not able, or who do not wish to compete with the larger corporate farms on their own terms. This, in turn, allows family farmers to preserve their land for future generations.
