Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
Stay connected with Eco-generation :
| Share 
| 
- Home >
- Our Actions >
- Ambassador report
5
Comments
Local Foods The Best Option for Now! |
|---|
|
The word 'Local' is wide in nature hence, cannot be strictly tied down to a particular definition. Simply, it could mean anything grown within a 150- to 500-mile radius while some other definitions may even stretch it far enough to consider anything grown in the country as local. Based upon the introductory framework above, the implicit import of this article is basically to shed some light on the numerous advantages of sticking to foods produced locally while also advocating for massive production and consumption of local foods. To begin with, foods which are grown locally contribute to a robust regional economy. This is perceived in the sense that residents are able to produce their own food and consume same which in effect enables them to reserve money for other purposes which would have otherwise been expended on importing food outside their local environment. Similarly, food produced locally can also be exported and sold to people in other places which in turn amounts to more financial yields for the exporting local producers. For example, Nigeria is a country richly endowed with sea foods and these have become a major source of livelihood for many and it generates massive income for the country through exportation of the sea foods processed in the region. Furthermore, local food is a quite indispensable factor in building societies which are progressive. It ensures the health of individuals and helps to maintain sickness-free communities. Moreover, when we opt for food which is locally produced, we consciously build an enduring system of regional independence. This consequently removes or reduces to a very large extent, our dependency on corporate providers who consistently degrade a lot of our communities. Importantly, according to a writer, when we strengthen the bonds between farms and schools, we build cultures that connect people. Perhaps the most interesting part of producing and consuming local food is the strong environmental benefit that comes with it. Foods grown locally are more often produced on a smaller scale and therefore may require fewer pesticides and chemical fertilizers. In an age of climate change, commercial or large scale use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers is nothing but atrocious and can further worsen the occurrence of climate change and its adverse impacts. Local food is a dependable link to a more sustainable living hence, its importance can never by any stretch of imagination be over-emphasized. If anything, it is the surest way to go! |
|
|
|
|
Previous : Going Green in angry hot plane...
5 Comments
Well provoked thought, Atitebi. Take a simple example of an apple. A few years ago apple used to rot in a 5-7 day period as it used to be locally sourced. Now, since chemicals & pesticides have taken over it is plucked raw & unripe, Chemically treated [possibly Nitrogen] & then travels thousands of kilometres to your nearest supermarket. Even after 1 month of purchase it does not rot.
What we are eating is chemicals.
Therefore, I strongly agree to advocate local food concept as far as practical & feasible.
Posted 30-01-2015 04:18
Local food also means least food miles . The more steps there are between us and our food??s source ,the more chances there are for contamination. Food grown in distant locations has the potential for food safety issues at harvesting, washing, shipping and distribution. Locally grown food is fresh and full of flavour. When grown locally, the crops are picked at their peak of ripeness versus being harvested early in order to be shipped and distributed to our local retail store. There are unlimited benefits of consuming local food. Thanks for sharing ,Atitebi.
Posted 26-01-2015 01:40
Local foods are key to sustainability for increasing demand of growing population that fills the gap between consumers and producers, economically viable and environmentally sound. It is a key to ensure food security. We must promote locally grown foods and consume by ourselves too. Thank you for putting light on the multi advantages of local foods in current scenario. Consume local, act global :) Cheers :)
Posted 25-01-2015 00:21
"when we strengthen the bonds between farms and schools, we build cultures that connect people". This is so true :)
Best part of the local food is its always cheap and more fresh, often free from the preservatives.
I too believe local or in other word organically grown local food is key to sustainable living. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are notorious, responsible for water and land pollution and also to health of animal, human and environment.
Nice and well written article Atitebi
Posted 24-01-2015 14:48
Yeap I am also trying to eat from locally grown foods. It's really easy. Think about it. A fruit is fresh after traveling thousands of miles, it's not normal and it's full of preservatives. We can be healthier by eating normal foods grown near our home. And I know several farmers around our town in order to buy best foods for the season :D
Posted 23-01-2015 14:13