When we support local food and farming operations, we are contributing to a more resilient and connected community where all neighbors are empowered to access healthy local food, local farmers are supported and the land is nourished, and all people share a common sense of place!
These words are our vision statement here at the Kearsarge Food Hub - it’s the North Star that guides our nonprofit work in the food system.
August is NH Eats Local month here in New Hampshire, we're celebrating the tremendous impact of choosing local food. It doesn't have to be perfect, it doesn't have to be 100% of the time, but a little bit of local love where and when we're able goes a really long way.
Here are 5 awesome reasons to eat local this August and all year long!
#1: Freshness & Quality
Chef Julio showcasing new menu items in Sweet Beet Cafe.
In other words, because it tastes so darn good! Local food is often fresher than food that has been transported long distances - an average of 1,500 miles in the industrial food system. This means it’s usually harvested at peak ripeness, resulting in better flavor, nutrition, and overall quality. Just taste test a grocery store tomato and farmers market tomato and you’ll taste the difference!
#2: Strong Local Economies
Farmer Jake harvesting tomatoes on Sweet Beet Farm.
Dollars spent on local food often stays in the community, supporting local jobs, businesses, and farmers, which can lead to a more vibrant and resilient local economy. Knowing our farmers and food producers means we know more about whether our dollars go to food businesses that are in line with our values. We can vote with our dollars!
#3: Environmental Sustainability
A child enjoys the harvest of a yellow pepper on Sweet Beet Farm.
Local farming typically involves shorter supply chains, which means reduced transportation emissions and less packaging waste. Additionally, local farmers are often more invested in regenerative practices that protect the environment, promote biodiversity, and help restore our natural systems to a healthy balance! These practices also help ensure food security for future generations!
#4: Connect with Nature
Sweet Beet Farm Manager Pierre holds several bunches of rainbow carrots.
Eating local food encourages us to eat with the seasons. This not only enriches diets with a variety of fresh produce filled with the goodness of our local biology, but also allows us eaters to form a deeper connection with the cycles of nature through the foods that we eat. And it’s a fun challenge to incorporate as many local foods as possible into our meals!
#5: Grow Community
Apprentices and volunteers on Sweet Beet Farm harvest and clean up fresh beet bunches.
Buying from local farms, farmers’ markets, retailers and restaurants grows our community connections! It gives us the chance get to know the people who grow our food and each other as neighbors. We all need to eat, and when we come together to ‘break bread’ - enjoy and share in our local bounty - we’re nurturing the common ground that unites us.