Local Bites, Global Impact: How To Boost Health and Society With Local Foods

I’m sure you’ve heard about the growing interest in eating locally; but, do you know why? It is important to acknowledge the positive impact eating locally has beyond just being a tastier food. Long story short, local food consumption is generally better for you and your community, and produces positive social and nutritional outcomes. But first, what does local food refer to?

Local food is food that is consumed within 50 km of the province or territory where it is produced and processed, resulting in a shorter supply chain. In our globalized world, the convenience of getting any food at any time often overshadows such considerations. Thus, it is important to recognize the positives of eating locally produced food. First, let’s delve into the individual benefits:

Health benefits

• Better nutritional profile: Usually, local producers will pick their products more wisely and carefully than is possible with mass produced food, resulting in a richness of flavors and nutrients. Local consumption means that products can be quickly made available to the public, preserving more nutrients compared to foods that are transported over long-distances.
• Reduced additives or chemicals: Eating locally often requires fewer preservatives and additives. Also, local food is often unprocessed, leading to less consumption of refined sugars, salts, and synthetic trans fats, among others.
• Seasonal eating: Plants get their nourishment from the sun and soil, so when that changes, so do their nutrients. This means that in-season products are the most nutritious. Since in-season products require fewer to no preservatives, this keeps the products fresher, healthier, and more flavourful.
• Expanded variety: Choosing different varieties of food to consume depending on the season provides a greater diversity of nutrients to our bodies, giving us a more complete nutritional profile that can help us stay healthy and active and avoid diseases. Nowadays, 75% of the consumed food comes from the same 5 animal species and 12 plants.

By choosing local, you are not just making a personal health choice but also supporting local farmers and communities. The benefits of this include:

Societal benefits

• Economic impact: Opting for local stores supports the economy and acknowledges the efforts of Canadian farmers and producers. Small-scale farmers usually earn less than large conglomerates. By eating locally, you directly support your community, helping to reinvest money within the regional economy.
• Connecting with your culture: Eating locally means a closer connection to regional food traditions and embracing the crops from local communities. In addition, you can know the people behind your food, thank their effort, and ask any questions that you have about the products, plus you’ll get tips on the best ways to prepare and consume them.

How to make local production a viable choice

Statistically, Canadian consumers usually prioritize freshness and taste when purchasing food, qualities commonly seen in local products. While not all Canadians focus on local food, there has been a significant 19% growth in locally sourced or grown products between 2019 and 2022, indicating a potential future trend.

One challenge to this interest might be the tough Canadian climate, which can limit the accessibility and affordability of these products, as most of them can only be obtained in certain months of the year. However, there are different strategies we can use to overcome these challenges.

Solutions: Tips for consumers

• Join the local food community and visit farmer’s markets: Support local initiatives by attending events like farmer’s markets in your community, where you can connect with the people and hear their stories of how your vegetables are brought to your table.
• Incorporate local into your grocery list: Check out different meals based on what’s in season and available in local stores
• Grow your own food: What better way to know what you are eating than cultivating your own products?
• Preserve the harvest: To keep your products throughout the year, you can use simple techniques such as freezing, dehydrating, fermenting, and canning.
• Get creative: Make the most of your food by exploring its properties and the infinite possibilities with leftovers. You can make jams, vegetable broths, or even invent your next hit dish!

Extra tip!

Supporting locals supports responsible food production and consumption, and it’s a great way to improve your diet. Another way to ensure your positive contribution to your community is by avoiding food waste, composting food scraps, and purchasing those “imperfect” agricultural products.

Taste the difference when you support your community with local food choices!