5 Reasons to visit your local farm

By: 8Shades
10/05/21

With advancing climate change, many of us are rethinking how we should be treating the planet, and this includes the food we eat. As a result, more people are turning to local farms, not only for fresher produce but also as a way to support local communities. Whether you want to pick up groceries for the week, or are looking to connect with your community in a meaningful way.

Here are 5 reasons why you should visit your local farm. 

Source: Yoga wine travel

1.

LOCAL FARMS PRODUCE LESS FOOD WASTE

Globally, almost one-third of the food intended for consumption is wasted. A lot of this happens at the purchasing stage; going into a supermarket, you’ll notice that most of the produce looks “perfect,” but this is because oddly shaped produce is simply tossed out – commonly called “ugly veg”.

Shopping at local farms reduces this waste and teaches us not to normalise natural looking produce.

2.

BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

In addition to getting fresh produce, purchasing food from your local farm is better for the environment, eliminating the resources used from shipping produce to your local stores. Additionally, local farms use less pesticides and fertilisers because they aren’t producing food at the volumes that large supermarkets are. 

3.

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

Small businesses fuel the local economy. Every stand at your local farmers’ market needs your support, especially since they are competing with large corporations. 

4.

FORGES CONNECTIONS WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

All too often, the hustle and bustle of life (especially in Hong Kong) can result in the loss of connection with your community. Visiting your local farm can help re-establish this connection. Some markets also host workshops, like home composting and growing your own produce, while others will even let you pick produce yourself. This also improves your relationship with your food, creating a new sense of appreciation for it. 

Source: Facebook AuLaw Organic Commons

5.

YOU’LL KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOUR FOOD IS COMING FROM

At your local market, you can meet the farmers who grow the food you’re purchasing, giving you a chance to become familiar with their farming practices, which are often kinder to the environment. It can be tough to trust that your food is safe with the pesticides used in commercial farming today, making fruits and vegetables found at local markets arguably the freshest produce you can buy. Because the produce you’re buying has been harvested that morning or no more than a few days before, it will also last longer.