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WHY Eat Local?


Looking for local farms on a map
Let's get more local. But first, WHY???

Why indeed? WHY is at the center of eating local. If not for the WHY, there would literally be no point. But once you know the WHY -- the rich and deeply layered whys -- I am sure that eating local will not be just another "buzzword," or something you hear batted about, but a MISSION.




This is not the first blog post on local food. Check out the rest of the blog here. Some specific ones are also cited below. This blog post is part of The Local Food Challenge, a 12-part monthly challenge with tips, information, and fun activities to help you get your "local" on. Sign up here to get a monthly prompt and resources!



First things first.

Let's make some wild and crazy assumptions to start so we are on the same page. You want to be healthy. You want your family to be healthy. Those are easy ones. So is this: you want to eat the most delicious food. Good. We are together.


What about your environment? Do you care about it? About leaving it better for your grandkids? About clean air and water? If you are anything like me, you DO care, but you are often confused about what to do to do better. You recycle and wish you could know for sure that it works, that those plastic clamshells your lettuce comes in actually become something else again. For a few years, I gave up paper towels. It vexed the heck out of guests in my kitchen who didn't want to "waste" a dishtowel to wipe up a spill. I am going to mark you down as someone who cares for the environment and is willing to take small actions to support it.


What about your community? From the roads to the schools to who's in charge to what kind of laws govern our peace and interactions. In my local town, I worry that the local schools have dwindling classes. In other towns, I worry about ordinances that push small farms out (Hi, Newfields, NH, and Kansas City, KS!). Do we have safe schools and ample places to shop for what we need? Let's say yes to this, too.


Finally, and this may feel further from your grasp, but don't we care about our economy too? We hear about it from the national political stage, right? But it's not all Dow Jones and stock market tickers. OUR economy starts at home. Are you shopping in the local hardware store or on Amazon? I feel terrible when small stores close and know I shopped online for what they used to carry. We will get deeper on this, but I think we will all come along to caring about the economy we can drive from wherever we are.


This is where we are -- you and I. Here together. With varying levels of care for all of these based on our own values. Now, let's turn to local food and run them through that filter.



Food Miles Add Up

Did you know the average ingredient -- your ground beef, your carrots, etc. -- in the U.S. travels 1,500 miles to get to your plate? That’s like driving from New York City to Denver every time you sit down for a meal! The environmental cost of all those food miles is staggering: transportation accounts for about 11% of the food system’s greenhouse gas emissions.


Local food dramatically reduces those miles. When you buy produce from a nearby farm or eggs from a local farmer, you’re cutting down on the fossil fuels used in shipping, refrigeration, and packaging. Every bite becomes a small but meaningful step toward a greener planet.


Check out this related blog post: How Far Is Local When It Comes to Your Food?


Local Food Tastes Better

If you’ve ever bitten into a sun-warmed tomato straight from the vine, you already know: there’s no comparison. The reason? Local food is fresher. It’s picked at peak ripeness and doesn’t spend days—or weeks—in transit or sitting on a grocery store shelf.


By the time produce arrives at the supermarket, it can lose up to 50% of its nutrients. Local food not only tastes better but is often more nutritious, giving you more value for your dollar.


If you don't grow your own sun-warmed tomatoes, try this blog post on getting more familiar with the farms near you that do: Google "Farms Near Me" It covers those local farms and so much more!


Supporting Your Community

Every dollar spent on local food strengthens your local economy. According to recent studies, buying from local farmers keeps up to three times more money circulating in your community compared to shopping at big-box stores. That’s because local farmers and producers are more likely to reinvest in your area—hiring neighbors, buying supplies locally, and improving regional infrastructure.


This connection goes beyond economics. When you buy food locally, you’re supporting the hardworking farmers who are the backbone of our food system. They’re the ones battling weather, pests, and market fluctuations to bring fresh food to your table. Your support gives them the stability they need to thrive and innovate.


Still curious? Try this blog post on The Best Ways to Eat More Local This may include a spoiler for a future part of the challenge, but if you are chomping at the bit, who am I to stop you!


Building Resilience

Local food systems are more adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges. Think back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While global supply chains faltered, many small farms and local producers stepped up, offering direct-to-consumer sales and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscriptions.


By investing in local food, you’re helping to create a food system that can weather disruptions while ensuring your community has access to fresh, healthy food no matter what.


Here are two podcast episodes -- from the early days of Talk Farm to Me -- that will remind you of the power of small farmers to withstand a major global market disruption.


Your Challenge This Month

This -- the first month of The Local Food Challenge -- is all about observation, awareness, and digging into the WHY.


Start by paying attention to what local resources are around you. Where is the nearest farm? How many farmers’ markets are nearby? Do any grocery stores in your area carry local products?


Here are a couple of fun, easy tasks to get you started:

  1. Explore Local Options: Visit a farmers’ market or browse the local section of your grocery store. Make a mental note—or jot down in your phone—what’s available.

  2. Learn About Your Area: Search for nearby farms or co-ops online. Some may offer tours, CSAs, or direct sales that make it easy to support local year-round.


Your Power

Every time you choose local, you’re casting a vote for fresher food, healthier communities, and a healthier planet. It’s a small decision with big consequences, and it’s one that adds up bite by bite.


Be sure to listen to this month’s episode of One Bite is Everything, where we explore the “why” behind eating local in even more depth. Together, we’re building habits that nourish ourselves, our communities, and the planet. Let’s make every bite count.



This should hold you until next month's challenge. As a hint, I suggest you freshen up your math skills. You're going to need them.


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Dana DiPrima is the founder of the For Farmers Movement. For Farmers supports American farmers by sharing their stories, replacing myths with facts, and providing them with grants and other helpful resources. Dana is the host of One Bite is Everything, the podcast that connects every bite you take to the bigger world, sparking curiosity and inspiring you to ask more questions about the food on your plate. She authors a weekly letter in addition to this blog. You can subscribe here. And you can join the For Farmers Movement to support your farmers here. You can also follow her on Instagram.




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