On this page we explore some of the benefits of eating locally and seasonally.

Benefits of eating local

Knowing where our food comes from, how it was grown or raised, is much easier when buying local. You can talk to the producer or supplier and be assured of the quality.

Buying local, seasonal produce supports local farmers and local jobs, helping to strengthen our local economy and our community.

Buying local also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the waste that comes hand-in-hand with large-scale food production, packaging, storage, and transport.

If fresh food is necessary to health in man and beast, then that food must be provided not only from our own soil but as near as possible to the sources of consumption. If this involves fewer imports and consequent repercussions on exports then it is industry that must be readjusted to the needs of food. If such readjustment involves the decentralisation of industry and the re-opening of local mills and slaughter-houses, then the health of the nation is more important than any large combine.

Lady Eve Balfour, founder of the Soil Association, 1943

Ideas to help you eat more local (& seasonal food)

  • Why not check out your local Farm Shop or Farmer’s Market.
  • Join a local Box Scheme…
  • Grow your own…

Eating with the Seasons

Eating and living seasonally is about much more than taking advantage of whatever produce happens to be available at the time. It’s about remembering that we arepart of Nature and that foods yield their optimum nutritional potential when eaten in season.

Just as there is no ‘one-diet-fits-all’ there are foods for different seasons, which not only benefit us, but benefit our health-promoting digestive microbes too.

For more on this topic and what to eat and grow visit:

Community

We believe that Real Food can nurture community – sharing and connecting with family, friends, local economies and re-connecting with nature.

We hope you find inspiration from these two articles published in the Journal of holistic healthcare’s Real Food Issue.

IWe hope to share more inspiring community food stories in the future – get in touch if you have one.