| Historically, purchasing local food produce has been | | | | to understand how it is produced. This means that |
| the most economical option, however in the | | | | you can be confident about exactly what, if any, |
| current market buying imported goods can often | | | | additives and preservatives are in your food and |
| prove to be less expensive despite the added | | | | its overall nutritional value. |
| costs of transportation and packaging. Although | | | | And let’s not forget the compelling reason |
| this may often make the most financial sense it is | | | | that fresh food has not been sat in a lorry and |
| important to remember the benefits of buying | | | | then on a self for days and so it simply tastes |
| food locally, not only for the local community, but | | | | better. If the food was grown in your own |
| also for our health and the environment. | | | | community, it was probably picked within one or |
| Buying locally provides sustainable community | | | | two days of purchase, which means it will still be |
| business. Research shows that every £10 | | | | crisp and flavourful. The packaging and |
| spent locally creates £24 for the local | | | | transportation of many supermarket items results |
| economy, which is £10 more than created | | | | in lost vitality and nutrients and stops them from |
| by larger supermarkets. With an estimated 25 | | | | tasting as they should. |
| local shops closing every week due to the impact | | | | It is impossible to buy and produce everything |
| of supermarkets it is clear that not buying locally | | | | locally, however there are perhaps more local |
| has devastating implications. | | | | options available than most consumers realise. For |
| If produce is locally sourced it has to travel fewer | | | | example this Christmas are you going to buy a |
| miles, which is better for the environment. It is | | | | supermarket turkey or visit your local farm to |
| estimated that groceries travel an average of | | | | purchase the free range farm fresh alternative? |
| 1,500 miles before they reach the | | | | If you visit the farmer direct not only are you |
| consumer’s table. Since transportation uses | | | | supporting your local community, cutting out the |
| an unnecessary amount of valuable energy | | | | middle man, helping the environment and lowering |
| avoiding non-local products also helps to lower | | | | your carbon footprint, but you are also able to |
| your carbon footprint. | | | | see the conditions under which the turkeys have |
| Local purchasing allows the consumer to possess | | | | been reared and above all enjoy the tastiest, |
| all the facts about where their food comes from, | | | | most flavoursome Christmas turkey possible. We |
| instead of relying on potentially misleading or | | | | believe there’s nothing like the personal |
| fallacious packaging and branding. When you are | | | | touch, and the effects of buying locally will be |
| able to trace who produces the food it is possible | | | | seen globally. |