50 Acts of Green: Day Eighteen - Buying Local

The food we eat on a daily basis comes from numerous sources. Especially in our global economy, we can import food from all over the world, and do on a regular basis. Instead of simply knowing what food is in season because we plant and grow lots of food ourselves, we have to look up that information in colorful time charts and infographics. What does it matter when a fruit or vegetable is in season when you can buy it any day you would like because of hot-house farming and buying imported food? 

The real answer is that it matters because of the amount of processing and transportation cost that comes along with such food. Billions of gallons of gas and other fuels are used each year in transporting food long distances to a cafe near you. Billions of gallons of water are used in hot house/greenhouse farms in order to grow fruits and vegetables year round, regardless of the season. 

Part of the amazing fun of growing, buying, and eating local, in-season foods is that you naturally have some rotation in your diet and you get to look forward to delicious items when they are healthiest and ripest. It also means that you are helping the environment by cutting down on transportation costs, in fuel and its byproducts, and by cutting down on the amount of water used in greenhouse farming. Buying locally produced foods also almost always leads to eating more nutrient dense foods as well.

One small act of green, water and gas saved!