While it might be easy to order snacks online or pick up a frozen dinner from the convenience store, there’s no denying the appeal of fresh food. When you choose items that are grown locally, you’ll do your palate a favor while helping your community and the environment. To learn more about how local food is always a smart decision, consider the following guide.

3 Benefits of Buying Locally Grown Food

1. Supports the Community

If a small farm in your town was forced to shut down, the land might be taken over for industrial use or developed for commercial purposes. However, when you support local businesses, you keep small family farms alive. When you buy local, you can develop a connection with the family that puts food on your table, strengthening bonds throughout the community. When you make purchases at a local farm, your money will remain in the community as opposed to going to larger businesses or franchises.

2. Boosts Health

When you buy food from a chain retailer, it has to travel through a long line of employees and companies before it reaches your fridge, which increases the risk of contamination. Local fresh food is less likely to contain bacteria or viruses. Since it doesn’t need to make long voyages in boats and trucks, local food is free of harsh chemical preservatives.

3. Benefits the Environment

As your apples and lettuce are en route to your grocery store, exhaust from trains and trucks is polluting the atmosphere. Buying local cuts down on these “food miles,” minimizing the greenhouse emissions that contribute to global warming. Plus, when you buy food grown nearby, you’ll encourage local farmers to prioritize sustainability to maintain your business. 

If locally grown food is a priority for you, turn to HiBlend of Wahiawa, HI. With two locations in Honolulu, this fresh food cafe is proud to use organic, local, and non-GMO items, all grown on Hawaii farms. Whether you’re in the mood for a tangy acai bowl or a satisfying wrap, stop by to sample a wide array of healthy food. You can also call (808) 425-4328 to speak with a staff member.