Fresh, local produce is becoming more popular and sought after by chefs and home cooks all over the world. As they discover the benefits of buying fresh, local produce over supermarket food, more farmer’s markets are appearing and local suppliers are opening their doors wider to the public. Growing numbers of shoppers are disillusioned with mass produced food for a variety of reasons Prodotti tipici siciliani. They want to know where their food comes from and to support local suppliers, especially in more rural areas. Tasteless, out of season food jam packed with additives wrapped in layers of packaging does little for bodily health, confidence in suppliers’ ethics, or the purse strings. Here are the main reasons to seek out, buy and eat fresh local produce.
It’s Fresher
Supermarkets go to huge lengths to pile food high and sell it cheap. Sometimes when the word “fresh” appears on a label, the food may not be that fresh. What do we think of when we think of the word “fresh”? Taking tomatoes as an example, the mass produced ones are usually picked green. It can take up to two weeks for them to arrive at the store, and if they’re not ripe, they are exposed to ethylene to force ripening. This is what supermarkets mean by “fresh”. Mass produced potatoes are often stored for several weeks before shipping. By contrast, fruit and veg from a local farm or market is sold within one or two days of picking. The same is true of some meat and fish produce. Many restaurants, for example, source fish, shellfish, lobster and langoustine from local fishermen who can land the catch and deliver it the same day. This, of course, affects the all important taste.
It’s Tastier
Fresh produce is packed with more flavour than supermarket food. There are many reasons for this. Obviously the fresher the food, the tastier it is, and this depends largely on storage time. Food that is stored for long periods loses sugars and starch that greatly affects flavour. Taste and texture also depends on where fruit and veg is grown and where animals are farmed and live. Greenhouses produce less flavoursome fruit and veg than that grown on good farmland. Some fruit and veg growers deliberately grow their produce to look more appealing that for great taste, knowing that supermarket shoppers don’t taste before they buy. Livestock that is solely reared outdoors in good conditions produces tastier meat than animals forced to live in barns because they eat natural, nutritious food rather than inorganic feeds, aren’t pumped full of growth hormones, and the freedom to roam makes meat more tender and flavoursome. Wild fish has more flavour than farmed fish; again, this is largely due to diet and fresher water.
Sustaining the Local Economy
Smaller suppliers face a constant battle competing with large supermarkets. By supporting local suppliers, money stays local and not only creates and sustains jobs, it ensures the bright future of food that tastes better and is healthier. By keeping money local, the area becomes more confident, communities more tight knit, happier and healthier in body and mind, and creates a healthy, flourishing society.
Environmentally Friendly
Locally sourced food helps the environment in many ways. Most supermarket food will travel hundreds of miles to get to your shopping basket. The obvious impact of this on the environment is the amount of fuel used. Produce straight from the field, orchard or sea dramatically reduces not only fuel pollution but all the other harmful chemicals used in the storage and transportation process. Packaging is an area many people have issue with. Supermarket food packaging burdens the environment from manufacturing which uses precious energy and damaging chemicals to the vast amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Fresh, local produce on the other hand has minimal, less flashy packaging. Often, all it is is a plain paper bag. This not only has less impact on the flavour of the food, it reduces the use of natural resources.
Keeping Us Healthy
The health benefits of fresh, local food are huge. With nutritionists advising we should eat five servings of fruit and veg per day, the quality of the food should be equally as important as the amount. Fruit and veg sourced locally is additive free and has more nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and sugars because of the reduced time between harvest and eating. Studies in health and diet reveal that eating fresh, local produce improves digestion and disturbed sleep.
The Best of the Best
The variety, freshness and superior taste of fresh, local produce makes it the obvious food choice for today either in the home or when eating out. One final important note to consider. Michelin food inspectors and Michelin standard chefs value above all else, fresh, local produce that not only looks impressive but tastes good, and is a major ingredient in what separates Michelin star chefs from the run of the mill chef. This is the reason why fresh, local produce is the best of the best.