Hometown food Buying food from local supermarkets can benefit not only the human race, but also the earth. A movement started by people known as "Locavores" has started a conflict on whether buying local food or transported food is better. Not only can this benefit the buyer, but it can also benefit the local farmers and their businesses. Locavores want to return to supporting the local farmer which in turn will provide healthy, sustainable foods that support the local financial economy. One reason Locavores eat local food is because it effects the economy. It is said that spending a dollar locally generates twice as much income for the local economy. If the business is not owned locally the money paid to them does not stay local (Maiser). …show more content…
Local produce will be handled less and does not have to go through the process and rigors of shipping. The shorter the distance the produce has to travel will lower the chances of being contaminated by harmful things. Distance traveled also accounts for the length of time produce is on the shelf, and if the produce travels far it might have a high yield demand (Maiser). The second food is harvested it begins to lose its nutritious value. When it comes to fruits and vegetables the shorter the distance means the maximum nutrition is still packed into it. For the food to benefit the consumer it has to reach it's full ripeness, but if it does not reach it's full ripeness then none of the helpful substances will have high levels (MacKinnon). Freshness is one of the most important factors to worry about while dealing with …show more content…
Food transported from far away places is not exactly in the best environment, because sometimes they are smashed or have a very large carbon footprint. Food that is from a long distance away could have traveled for days or weeks and also could have been cold-stored for days or weeks(Maiser). Any consumer would rather eat food that was picked within 24 hours of purchase rather than eat something that has been stored for 2 weeks. Not only is it safer, but it is the best produce you will ever eat. Buying locally is not just about vitamins and minerals, but it is about the disease fighting chemicals in the food (Smith). When the food is picked up, the buyer knows the story behind it and who handled it at the local supermarket. Local food is definitely the way to