In a world that is so disconnected from where we get our food, the best thing you can do for you, and your family’s health is to buy directly from farmers.

Farm2market was born out of the idea and desire to lessen the distance between the people growing the food, and the people consuming the food in their homes. It grew from the passion of supporting local businesses, delivering the highest quality produce, and improving the health of Australians. In honour of the website’s relaunch, here are the top 7 reasons why you should buy directly from farmers.

It is good for your health

Probably the best way to ensure you and your family is getting the healthiest produce, is to know which farms are growing your food. Australian producers are world renown for growing food that is disease-free, high quality, in a heavily regulated and monitored system. Have a look at all the requirements a farm needs to meet to be considered organic in Australia. Organic farms have a strong focus on producing chemical free food that has been proven many times to be better for your health than conventionally grown produce.

Why buy directly from farmers 1: You receive High Quality and Safe Produce

If you buy local Australian produced food, not only are you benefiting from the nutritional benefits of food grown in your home climate, but you also minimise the amount of distance that your food must travel. Imported produce must be transported long distances when it can lose its freshness and great taste. The fruits and vegetables you purchase from farmers in your area will also be seasonal, and there are plenty of reasons why eating seasonal fruits and vegetables are a great idea.

You are Supporting small businesses

Rather than spending your money in a supermarket chain, buying from local farmers means you are helping to provide jobs. By voting with your wallet, you have the benefit of keeping a business that cares about its products open. The occasional higher prices of smaller farming enterprises are due to the difficulty of competing with mass companies, but with every purchase you make, you can choose where you send your money.

You are benefiting the local community

By supporting local farmers, you are also supporting the local community. When you buy local, more money stays in your own city or area. Local businesses support local businesses, which allows money to circulate within the community rather than being lost to outside investments. One study in Chicago found that for every $100 spent in a local business, $68 remained in the town in comparison to only $47 out of $100 staying when spent at a supermarket chain. By buying local, you are helping families get their children through school, and helping farmers make a bigger part of the profit than if they sold to supermarket chains.

You are helping the environment

There are plenty of environmental benefits of buying local food, some of which include the minimal associated carbon footprint, promotes environmental accountability, and preserves genetic diversity. Many farmers in Australia, particularly those certified as organic, spend a significant amount of time to ensure their farm produces the highest yield without damaging the surrounding environment. Just check out how these Australia Farmers working to help the environment! Check out food miles and how eating local decreases the carbon emission footprint of your food intake.

Did you know that the average food miles of a basket of food in Australia (comprised of 29 common food items) has  the associated food mile average of 70,000km?

Why buy directly from farmers 2: You are helping the local economy

Buying local means you are buying what is currently being grown in your area. This means the food is fresh, in season, and has had minimal food mileage. You might have to adjust your seasonal taste based off what is available, but this can be an additional benefit to force you to expand your recipe collection. When a fruit or vegetable is in season, it means it’s growing in abundance, and prices therefore drop significantly. By opting to buy from local farmers, your wallet will be happier! If you’re unsure what’s in season right now, check out all our seasonal posts.

So, why buy local produce?