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Published on Thursday, September 7, 2017
[EDUCATIONAL]
Buying locally has been all the rage for a while now. It’s the reason why farmers markets and 100 mile dinners are all the rage. Consumers love the idea of knowing where their products are coming from and supporting local businesses. But what does buying locally do for the environment?
Reduce Your Food Miles
One of the most important ways buying locally helps the environment is by reducing your food miles. By shopping locally, you are purchasing goods produced in your local community. Conversely, when you shop at the grocery store, many of the food items you buy travel over 1500 miles to reach your plate. By cutting down on these miles, you are reducing the environmental impact of your food. Local food doesn’t create large carbon footprints through overseas plane travel or long truck trips. This cuts down on fuel consumption and air pollution. There isn’t a need for shipping facilities, packing facilities or refrigeration.
More Accessible
Local businesses are able to operate in their local communities. It’s easy for them to bring their products to their consumers because their consumers are nearby. Take a farmers market for example - consumers are able to easily access lots of local homegrown produce without leaving their own community. Shoppers are able to easily walk or bike to their local market to shop the stalls. On the other hand, with larger grocery and department stores, they usually aren’t able to be located so centrally. Because these larger retailers require more space, they often have to move out of town. That means consumers are forced to drive to these stores, which increases their fuel consumption and carbon footprint.
Fresher Produce
By buying and eating local, consumers are able to enjoy produce that is fresh and nutritious. Many local producers pride themselves on keeping their product organic, hormone free and pesticide free. Not only is this beneficial to the consumer, it’s also beneficial to the environment. Keeping harmful toxins, like pesticides, out of the air helps to improve crops and air quality. In addition, because the produce is fresh and brought directly from farm to table, there is less waste. Many large retailers have significant food waste due to items going bad before they are bought. On a smaller scale with a more direct farm to table approach, this food waste is cut down.
Protects Local Land & Wildlife
Buying local also helps to protect local lands and wildlife. By buying local, you are supporting local farmers and producers. With your support, these farms are able to stay in operation. Because the farms are owned and operated by local farmers and producers, they aren’t being sold to local developers. Local developers could completely transform the land, devastating the wildlife that calls it home. Or, big business producers could buy out the farm and incorporate inhumane and non-eco-friendly farming practices.
Local Workforce
Lastly, an added environmental benefit of buying locally is supporting the local workforce. For example, if you buy your groceries at the local farmers market, you’re helping to keep local growers, creators and farmers in their jobs. You’re also creating an opportunity for other local jobs such as the team who organizes the farmers market, the team that sets up the stalls, the team that cleans up at the end of the day, etc. All of these local businesses with local workers are in place because consumers are demanding local goods. Without that consumer demand, these local businesses may not exist. Many of the employees would have to seek work elsewhere, outside of the community. This would add to highway congestion and fuel consumption, enlarging the overall carbon footprint.
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FAQs
Buying from local farmers and manufacturers generates more jobs and wealth in local economies and reduces unnecessary transport, which often contributes to environmental contamination.
What are the environmental benefits of local sourcing? ›
When products are sourced locally, they do not have to travel long distances, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. This not only helps to preserve the environment but also saves money on fuel and transportation costs.
Are local businesses better for the environment? ›
Locally owned businesses make more local purchases — requiring less transportation — and set up shop in town or city centers which generally means less sprawl, congestion, habitat loss, and pollution.
What are the benefits from buying from a local farm? ›
Local food tastes better.
The crops are picked at their peak, and farmstead products like cheese are hand crafted for the best flavor. Food imported from far away is older, has traveled on trucks or planes, and has sat in warehouses before it finally gets to you.
Why is buying locally better? ›
Local businesses not only pay their employees, they also spend money at other local businesses. That means by buying local, you help create jobs for your friends and neighbors, contribute to improved public infrastructure, and invest in your community both socially and economically.
Why does buying local reduce environmental impact? ›
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Local shopping means fewer transportation kilometres, which translates to lower greenhouse gas emissions from transport.
What are some environmental benefits? ›
The natural environment gives us a wealth of services that are difficult to measure in dollars. Natural areas help clean our air, purify our water, produce food and medicines, reduce chemical and noise pollution, slow floodwaters, and cool our streets. We call this work 'ecosystem services'.
How are small businesses good for the environment? ›
By supporting regional business owners, we can advocate for environmentally-friendly solutions, reduce unnecessary waste, and establish a community that values a climate-friendly world. Supporting local companies is the first step in promoting sustainable living in your community.
How are small businesses better for the environment? ›
Small businesses can help the environment by doing simple things. For example, they can fertilize their food waste instead of throwing it away. They can also use energy-saving lights and eco-friendly packaging. These actions can cut down on the harm they do to the planet.
How are local businesses sustainable? ›
Building blocks of sustainability
For local businesses, this means integrating sustainable practices into everyday operations, ranging from reducing waste and energy consumption to sourcing materials responsibly and supporting local economies.
By choosing locally grown fruits and vegetables, you can enjoy the benefits of products that have been allowed to fully ripen without the use of artificial chemicals or gas. This means that the produce is not only healthier but also more flavorful, as it is allowed to mature naturally.
What are 3 benefits to having farms in your local community? ›
From providing fresh and nutritious food to supporting the local economy, promoting environmental sustainability, preserving farmland and rural culture, and fostering community engagement and education, these farms play a crucial role in enhancing the overall well-being of the community.
What are three benefits of buying local foods? ›
From your health to the economy, there are many benefits of eating local. Local food is fresher, more flavorful, and more nutritious, and eating local food benefits the consumer, local farmers, and, in turn, the local economy and land.
Is it better to buy locally or globally? ›
2. International produce is often more affordable. Although buying local for quality is highly preferred for some consumers, for others, it's still considered a luxury. One of the main reasons consumers choose to buy imported produce is because it's more affordable.
Is it better to buy organic or local? ›
Conclusion. Overall, buying organic or locally grown food can have some environmental, social and health advantages. Organic is primarily associated with minor nutrient benefits and environmental sustainability. Whereas buying local can be more sustainable, foster a sense of community and help support local economies.
Why is it important to buy from local markets? ›
The most unnoticeable benefit of buying local is also the most critical for mankind. It helps conserve the environment and lowers the overall carbon footprint. The longer it takes to transport goods, whether within the country or from beyond its shores, the more fossil fuel is burnt during transport.
Are small businesses more eco-friendly? ›
Small businesses often lead the charge when it comes to keeping local and sustainable practices at the forefront.
How do local industries affect the environment? ›
Industrial activities are a source of pressure on the environment, mainly in the form of emissions to the atmosphere and water ecosystems, waste generation and resource consumption.
Is it better for the environment to live in the city or country? ›
The Verdict
Well designed cities with sustainable infrastructure will likely provide the best framework for the majority of the people to live with a reduced environmental impact. Rural living has the potential to be sustainable but requires a focus on environmentally conscious practices and minimizing resource use.
How do businesses affect the local environment? ›
Heating and air conditioning systems pump greenhouse gas emissions from offices into the atmosphere and use up vast amounts of electricity. Many buildings aren't designed to include energy-efficient systems or technology to reduce the amount of heat and air conditioning they use.
