Eating locally and cooking at home may be two of the simpler ways to improve your diet—and you don't necessarily need a television chef, a $500 blender, or 47 ingredients to do it.
Much of the American food supply is highly processed. While processing has its advantages, preparing more meals from fresh ingredients gives people greater control over what they are actually eating. It also means knowing where some of that food comes from, which is generally a good thing.
| (Illustrative Only) Working on Catching my own fish somtimes. |
Local agriculture can also create economic opportunities. Vacant land could potentially support hobby farms or small agricultural operations, allowing people to grow food without needing millions of dollars and a corporate boardroom to get started. Selling directly to local consumers can also help keep more money circulating within the community.
Cooking at home also becomes easier with experience. Once people learn basic techniques, they can prepare meals without relying heavily on recipes. A recent meal included cod served over salad, along with a homemade apple pie using apples simmered with butter, sugar, cinnamon, brown sugar, and lemon. Hungry? Homemade.
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Health Benefits of Eating Locally
- Buying locally can provide access to fresh foods while also supporting farmers and local food systems.
- Shorter supply chains may mean less handling and allow produce to be harvested closer to peak ripeness.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables provide important nutrients, antioxidants, and other compounds associated with a healthy diet.
- Farmers markets, community-supported agriculture, and gardening can provide opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and learning.
- Buying seasonal products, visiting farmers markets, and growing some food at home are practical ways to increase local food consumption while supporting regional agriculture.
McCurdy, M. (2022, May 17). Health benefits of eating locally. University of New Hampshire Extension. https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2022/05/health-benefits-eating-locally