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You are here: Home / Benefits of Buying Local Food

Benefits of Buying Local Food

What is “Local Food”?

In general, it is defined as a food product that has traveled less than 400 miles, or within the same state as it’s point of origin. 

Local food is broadly defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as “the direct or intermediated marketing of food to consumers that is produced and distributed in a limited geographic area.”

The 2008 U.S. Farm Bill states that “Local Food” is defined as a food product that travels less than 400 miles from the origin of the product or is in the State in which it is produced.

In New York State, a 2019-2020 bill has further defined food that is marketed as “local” as a product that has been “grown, raised, or harvested, or produced in New York or it must show descriptive language about the region or distance from New York where the product originated from.”

Many people also consider “local food” to be purchased with direct methods like at farmers’ markets, farm stands, and CSA’s- surpassing the channels generally associated with large scale farms, commodity operations, and big-box grocery stores. There is sometimes also an assumption that local food is grown by small farms, using sustainable methods, fair labor practices, and humanely raised animals. 

North Country Creamery
North Country Creamery
cabbages
Oregano Flats Farm
Juniper Hill Farm
Juniper Hill Farm
Drinkwine Produce
Drinkwine Produce
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7 Reasons to Buy More Local Food

Only 2.9 percent of farms in the US are considered “large” with at least $1 million in gross cash income, but they, along with other non-family farms, account for 54 percent of total production in the United States. 

The remaining 90 percent of small family farms only account for 24 percent of the value of production. Food that is grown far away on large operations allows us to have an unlimited variety of fresh food year-round. We now have access to things like oranges and avocados, on-demand. However, the more local food we add to our plate, the more we can realize many economic, environmental, and social benefits. 

Benefits of Buying Local Food

1. Economic Impacts

Studies show that local foods can have a positive impact on local economic activity by substituting imports and supporting local processing. For example, beef raised on a local farm and processed at a local slaughterhouse has a net benefit to two businesses, rather than one. 

A study by Iowa State University found that each dollar spent at farmers’ markets generated 58 cents in additional sales elsewhere in the local economy. And for each full-time equivalent job created at farmers’ markets, a half of a fulltime equivalent job was created in other sectors of the local economy. Another national study of 15 food supply chains found that producers received 7 times the net revenue per unit in local food supply chains than they do in conventional wholesale chains. 

2. Better for Farmers

The USDA estimates that on average, a farmer only earns 17.4 cents for every dollar spent on a food item. In shorter supply chains, like when buying through a food hub, farmers earn up to 85 cents for every dollar, and when purchased directly like at a farm store, the farmer receives 100% of every dollar you spend. 

3. Better for the Environment

Reducing the number of miles your food travels from field to the shelf directly shrinks your grocery carbon footprint. It’s been estimated that locally grown food creates 5 to 17 times less CO2 than nationally wholesale distributed food. 

But more importantly, how food is grown matters. The farming practices used to grow or raise food accounts for 83% of its carbon footprint. Just because something is “local” it does not mean that it is sustainable. However, smaller farms are more easily able to adopt environmentally friendly practices that help preserve clean drinking water, improve soil health, protect wildlife, and pollinators. These methods can include rotational grazing, using cover crops, avoiding harmful pesticides, and wildlife-friendly predator and pest control. Eating local can also reduce food waste, as most food loss happens during production, storage, transport, and distribution. By shortening the chain between farmer and consumer, there is less time and opportunity for spoilage. 

4. Healthier and Tastier Food 

There are a variety of factors that influence the nutritional quality of food including ripeness, processing, storage, growing practices, and more. Food that is grown locally is generally harvested closer to when it is ripe and spends less time in shipment and on the shelf. Riper fruits and vegetables mean more nutrients and better flavor. Fruits and vegetables that are grown on large scale farms and shipped thousands of miles to grocery stores are bred for traits that prolong their shelf life, like tougher skins to withstand shipping damage. That is one of the reasons why local fresh strawberries (that just stay fresh a day or two) taste so amazing in contrast to conventionally grown berries. 

5. Happier Animals

Smaller operations allow for closer quality control. Industrialized livestock operations (like Confined Animal Feeding Operations) are designed to raise many animals in a short period of time. Many times animals are kept indoors or without access to vegetation. Birds and pigs are kept in tiny cages or stalls not much bigger than their bodies. When purchasing local food, you have the opportunity to talk with your farmer about animal welfare practices on their farm. On small farms, animals are more likely to have time and space to graze, forage, and bond with fellow animals.

6. Opportunity to Align With Your Values

The average American spends less than ten percent of their income on food. This is much less than almost everywhere else in the world, in some countries, people spend up to half of their income on food. If you can afford to spend a little more, and reap the environmental, social, and health benefits, why not?

7. Find Your Community

When you buy local food, you generally have the opportunity to engage with farms directly. They are usually more transparent about farming practices and sometimes invite community members to their farms for tours. This face-to-face engagement is otherwise is lost in a traditional wholesale food chain. Buying local food offers you a chance to better understand the work and care that goes into your food and to create a stronger connection to your wider community.

Bucksberry Farm
Bucksberry Farm
Willow Wood Farm
Willow Wood Farm
Tangleroot Farm
Tangleroot Farm
Juniper Hill Farm
Juniper Hill Farm
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How to Shop Local

  • Visit Farmstands- Check their hours online before you go, and make sure to follow your local farms on social media for updates on what’s new in their farmstore. Find a farmstand here.
  • Sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share- in the wintertime or spring you can sign up for a CSA and be guaranteed fresh local food all season long. Some farms offer year-round, spring, or fall CSA’s too. Find a farm that offers CSA shares delivered near you. 
  • Visit a Farmers’ Market- Many markets are OPEN for the season and offer an outdoor, socially distant way to shop. Find details for a market near you.
  • Check out your Local Food Hub or Co-Op- Food hub’s and co-ops are great for one-stop shops. You can usually find a variety of products from many regional producers at one retail location. Find a hub or co-op and their hours and offerings here.

 

Using SNAP, FMNP, FOOD STAMPS, WIC

Did you know that you can use food assistance programs to buy from local farms and food producers? SNAP, WIC, and FMNP offer opportunities to put your benefits back into your community.

Where to buy local food with Food Stamps, SNAP & FMNP:

  • Farmstands and stores that accept WIC and SNAP
  • Farmers’ markets that accept SNAP and FMNP

Other Resources for Finding Local Food​

How to Advocate for more Local Food/Product Availability in your Community

Get local food in your school, business or hospital

Large institutions that serve the public have huge purchasing power. A recent study found that if the State University of New York (SUNY) spent 25 percent of its food dollars on fresh foods grown in the state, it would create $54 million in economic output. Bring information and resources to your college, hospital, or school on the state or federal benefits for buying local food. 

Talk with your grocery manager 

Ask the manager of your local grocery if they are willing to sell more local food. Reach out by phone or email so they will have a chance to consider the information you provide.

Suggest local ingredients at your favorite restaurants 

If your favorite restaurants aren’t using local food yet, talk with the managers and owners about the increased demand for local food.

Share on social media

When you eat local, tell your network. Show your friends and family how easy it is to buy and prepare seasonal food. Share photos on social media using the hashtag #AdirondackHarvest and #EatADK to connect with other locavores. 

 

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Feb 23

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HOW-TUESDAY | Peel Carrots Quicker! (Hint: don't)

Baby carrots save time and effort because they are already washed and peeled, right? Well, carrots don't ACTUALLY need to be peeled, at all. Or most vegetables, really.

Baby carrots sold in grocery stores are just normal carrots that have been washed (sometimes with a chlorine solution), cut, peeled, rounded, packed in plastic bags, and then shipped.

Locally grown carrots have been harvested this fall, cleaned, and placed in cold storage. Freshly harvested locally grown carrots available in the summer have superior sweetness, flavor, and crunch.

Simply scrub them under water to remove dirt and debris, and they are good to go.

According to scientists from the Tufts’ HNRCA Antioxidants Research Laboratory, potentially up to half of the nutrients in carrots are found in the peel.

Obviously, you will want to follow foodsafety.gov guidance and consider your own comfort if you are purchasing any product that has been grown utilizing harmful pesticides and herbicides.

It comes down to a personal preference. Some people are more sensitive to the taste of un-peeled vegetables!

Pictured: Glowing freshly cleaned summer carrots at @wildworkfarm by @benstechschulte

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Feb 22

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East Adirondack Cattle Company in Westport, NY raises quality, grass fed beef you can feel good about feeding your family! 🐄🥩

Visit our website to learn more about East Adirondack Cattle Company, what they do and where to find them: https://adirondackharvest.com/user/eastadirondackcattleco/

[ Photo Credit: East Adirondack Cattle Company ]

#featuredmember #eastadirondackcattlecompany #exit32beef #cattlefarm #whosyourfarmer #eatfresh #buylocal #adkharvest

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Feb 16

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HOW-TUESDAY TIP  Lather Local 🛁

Soap is something that we use many times a day, every single day, for many things like showering, hand washing, and dish-doing. 

The earliest evidence of soap-making dates back to 2800 BC. It was made by mixing fat, oils, and salts.

Today, the average person uses the equivalent of three bars of soap per week. Many commercial soaps are made of harsh chemicals, additives, preservatives, synthetic colors, and fragrances. The @environmentalworkinggroup database provides more information on the health and environmental risks of these ingredients. 

Handmade soaps made with locally sourced and more recognizable ingredients are a great alternative for your skin and the environment. Goats milk, lard, and herbal soaps are known to be beneficial for dry and sensitive skin. 

Click the link in our bio to find Adirondack Harvest businesses that make or sell local soap (many ship!)

Pictured: The Cook Farm in Owls Head, NY makes goat milk soaps with their diverse herd of Alpine, Lamancha, and Nigerian Dwarf goats. 

#eatadk #adirondacks #harvestny #growninny #agriculture #farm #buylocal #shoplocal #supportsmallbusiness #farmadk #localadk #adks

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Feb 15

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🍎 Old Orchard Place, located in Willsboro, NY, is a family owned take-out restaurant, featuring unique hand tossed pizzas, hot subs, house recipe mac & cheese bowls, fresh salads, pasta and more! Seasonal apple orchard and farm store offerings include: corn, cider donuts, honey, apple pies and assorted vegetables.

Visit our website to learn more about Old Orchard Place, what they do and where to find them: https://adirondackharvest.com/user/oldorchardplace/

[ Photo Credit: Old Orchard Place ]

#featuredmember #oldorchardplace #restaurant #pizza #appleorchard #farmstore #eatfresh #buylocal #adkharvest

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Feb 13

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Meet: Dogwood Bread Company, Keri Fair

Offerings: Baked goods, bread, pizza, coffee, shop, cafe

About: We offer wood-fired bread and pizza, fresh roasted coffee, soups, sandwiches, baked goods and good company. Dogwood Bread Company has been a community meeting place since 2003. In addition to our locally famous Friday Night Pizza Night, we host fundraisers, music events, and other gatherings. Now, we are offering online ordering and curbside pick-up.

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to learn more: @dogwoodbreadcompany

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Feb 12

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Erwin Kalmar and Norliah Asma-Kalmar began planting vines at Four Maples Vineyard in Champlain, NY. Five years later, they opened their first barrel of homegrown wine. Today, the vineyard is a location for events and is home to a well-populated cellar of vintages.

Tim Rowland shares their story on our blog, link in bio to read the full article!
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