Farmer’s markets are great spots to help you source locally for food, and if you shop at one — besides buying from and supporting a local farmer — you are helping the environment.

Local can mean different things to different people, depending on where people live, how long their growing season is, and what products they are searching for. Practically speaking, local food production can be thought of in concentric circles that start with growing food at home. Secondly, it includes food that might be grown in the immediate community, either at the regional or national level. For some parts of the year or for some products that thrive in the local climate, it may be possible to buy closer to home. At other times, or for less common products, an expanded reach may be required.

So how does buying local benefit the environment? First, local foods are produced as close to home as possible. Purchasing from local growers supports a more sustainable food system by going beyond the methods used in food production to include every step that brings food from farm to table. Sustainable agriculture incorporates growing methods that are healthy, including reduction of pesticide use, and balances demand based on local needs, involving less environmentally harmful equipment and practices. The most important factor is that growing locally reduces impacts on the environment by decreasing transportation needs.

Small, local farms are run by farmers who live on their land and are dedicated in preserving it. They protect open spaces by keeping land in agricultural use and preserve natural habitats by maintaining forest and wetlands. By being good tenants of the land, seeking out local markets, minimizing packaging, and harvesting food only in season, farmers can significantly reduce their environmental impact. Studies show that sustainable agricultural practices can actually increase food production by up to 80% while at the same time actively reducing the effects of farming on climate change through carbon sequestration.

Find your local farmer’s market:

Times and days subject to change.

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