There are many benefits to growing your own fruits and vegetables. Not only are they free from chemicals, which can be harmful to your health, but they are also high in nutritional value. These benefits, however, are not always recognized by most consumers, who often associate produce with convenience and low prices.
In this article, we will show you how the production and distribution of locally-grown fruits and vegetables can help the environment, and how these same benefits can make your grocery bill lower. With fewer additives, farmers are able to sell their locally-grown fruits and vegetables at a discount, which further helps the environment.
Each year, farmers must replant everything on a large scale, which takes massive amounts of land. This is a huge problem, as the more food that is produced, the more land is required. It is estimated that about one-fifth of the world’s food supply is damaged, deleted, or destroyed because of over-farming.
The effects of this can range anywhere from global warming to water pollution and food riots. By growing locally-grown fruits and vegetables, we help solve these problems. Another benefit of locally-grown fruits and vegetables is that they are much tastier than those grown in the surrounding area.
Produce from the city has a much different flavor than produce from other areas. This is because the farmers living within the city are accustomed to the climate and the lack of trees, so they know exactly what their produce needs are.
On the other hand, produce outside the city is often grown using pesticides, fertilizers, and other harmful chemicals. This can have disastrous consequences for the environment, and people’s health.
Many of the benefits of growing locally-grown fruits and vegetables are also financial. One of the biggest benefits is cost savings. These savings can make the difference between an expensive grocery store grocery bill and a family’s budget being completely wiped out because they grew their own fruits and vegetables.
Another financial benefit is the savings that can come from cutting down on food waste. We all have enough waste in our homes, but when it comes to fruit and vegetable purchases, many families don’t take advantage of purchasing organic produce. By growing our own we avoid this unnecessary waste and save money.
Additionally, many consumers enjoy the taste of locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Today, we can find virtually any type of produce that is organic in the stores, even some that aren’t organic. If you grew your own garden, you would have to pick and pack everything yourself, which means many smaller items wouldn’t make it at all.
The packaging is another issue, but with organic products, you won’t have to worry about harmful chemicals seeping into the food. Perhaps the biggest reason to grow your own is the quality of your produce. Many farmers grew their produce in more sustainable methods than in conventional farms. One good example is that of Naga Garden’s. View their online store when you get the time.
Some grow old-fashioned corn stalks and tomatoes in beds with rows of peppers and onions, and others still grow heirloom tomatoes, grapes, and even plants that are native to Italy! The taste in this produce has yet to be duplicated in mass quantity. Not only are they tastes better, but farmers are able to deliver them directly to consumers where they can be stored cold or hot for longer periods.
Additionally, local-grown fruits and vegetables are produced in much bigger quantities than their non-organic counterparts. When grown organically, you can often cover acres of land just on organic crops.
This, together with the smaller sizes of local-grown vegetables, makes them less expensive to grow. Plus, they last longer, meaning that you save money from pesticides and other chemicals over the years.
The next time you go shopping for produce, consider buying some locally-grown produce. It’s not only good for your health and the environment, but you’ll also end up getting more for your money. If you have any questions about locally-grown fruits and vegetables, visit your local farm store or contact a local farmer to talk more about your options.
You’re sure to find something that will make your mouth water and your heart swell.