Local food

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Local food or local food movement is a movement of people who prefer to eat foods which are grown or farmed relatively close to the places of sale and preparation.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Local food movements aim to connect food producers and consumers in the same geographic region, to develop more self-reliant and resilient food networks; improve local economies; or to affect the health, environment, community, or society of a particular place. The term has also been extended to include not only geographically defined food systems, but also short supply chains where the focus is on a direct relationship between producers, processors and consumers.

Benefits of Local Food[edit | edit source]

There are many benefits associated with the local food movement. These include:

  • Environmental benefits: Local food systems require less energy for transportation, reducing carbon emissions. They also often use more sustainable farming practices which can help to preserve the local landscape and biodiversity.
  • Economic benefits: Buying local food can help to support local farmers and contribute to the local economy. It can also help to create jobs in the local area.
  • Health benefits: Local food is often fresher and therefore more nutritious than food that has been transported long distances. It can also help to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
  • Social benefits: The local food movement can help to strengthen community ties and promote a sense of place.

Criticisms of Local Food[edit | edit source]

Despite the many benefits, there are also some criticisms of the local food movement. These include:

  • Limited variety: Because local food relies on what can be grown locally, there may be less variety available, particularly in certain seasons.
  • Cost: Local food can sometimes be more expensive than food that is mass-produced and transported long distances.
  • Accessibility: Not everyone has access to local food, particularly those living in urban areas or food deserts.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Local food Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD