10 Reasons to Eat Local

Yeah, I know I just posted a blog about local eating, but it's such a great topic. :)  Now, I realize that there are many things that we love to eat or drink (bananas, coffee, etc.) that we just can't buy locally (although you can buy from a local company), but for things that are available to us in our region, here are ten more reasons why it's important to support our local farmers: 


Why Eat Local?

While much of the food we eat today comes from around the globe, Oregonians have access to an abundance of food grown and produced here in the Northwest. By choosing local foods, you support the regional economy, protect our lush Northwest ecosystems, and enjoy the wealth of good food our region has to offer.

FRESHNESS
Locally grown fruits and vegetables are usually harvested within 24 hours of purchase. Produce that travels long distances may have been picked weeks earlier.

TASTE
Eating local foods means eating seasonally, enjoying foods when they are at their peak taste, most abundant, and least expensive.

VARIETY
Small, local farms are not limited to varieties of fruits and vegetables bred for long distance shipping, high yields, and shelf life. The wide variety of crops grown by local farms provides options in flavor, texture, size, and use.

NUTRITION
Nutritional value can decline as time passes after harvest, making freshly picked local produce more nutritionally rich. Local foods don't need to be waxed, irradiated, gassed, or processed like their long-distance counterparts.

SAFETY
Concerned about food safety, E. coli, salmonella and pesticides?
The close connection between local producers and consumers develops trust and accountability. And there's always the option of going to the farm to see for yourself.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC HEALTH
Buying locally grown food keeps money within the community. This strengthens all sectors of the local economy and increases the local quality of life.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Local food uses less energy and fossil fuel because it travels a shorter distance and generally requires less packaging. Small, local farms are also more likely to use practices that protect soil, air, and water resources, and promote biodiversity.

OPEN SPACE
Every day 3,000 acres of U.S. farmland are sold for commercial development.1
Supporting local farmers preserves farm and pasture land and contributes to the viability of local food sources.

FAIR TAXATION
When farmland is converted to housing and commercial space, citizens' taxes are less fairly distributed. For every dollar paid in taxes, farmers take back only $0.20 to $0.30 in government services. In contrast, a development uses approximately $1.17 in services.

REGIONAL FOOD SELF-RELIANCE
Dependency on distant food sources leaves a region vulnerable to supply disruptions and contamination. Buying local food supports a regional food production system, ensuring a reliable and plentiful food supply for the future.


source:  http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?c=45126&a=164133