By Shelby Carroll
N.C. Cooperative Extension

Eating local is important for several reasons, benefiting individuals, communities and the environment:

• Supports local economy: When you buy locally grown food, you support farmers and businesses in your community, keeping money within the local economy and fostering economic growth.
• Fresher and more nutritious: Local food is often fresher since it doesn’t have to travel long distances. Fresher produce tends to be more nutritious, as it retains more vitamins and minerals compared to food that’s been shipped and stored for long periods.
• Reduces environmental impact: Transporting food over long distances requires fuel, which contributes to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Eating locally minimizes the carbon footprint of your food.
• Seasonal eating: Local food is typically in season, which means you can enjoy produce at its peak flavor. Seasonal eating also encourages a more varied diet as you adjust to what’s available.
• Builds community connections: Buying from local markets or directly from farmers can help foster connections between consumers and producers, creating a sense of community and a deeper understanding of where your food comes from.
• Preserves farmland and open spaces: Supporting local farmers helps them stay in business, which can prevent farmland from being converted into urban developments, preserving green spaces.
• Promotes sustainable farming: Many local farmers use sustainable or organic farming practices, focusing on the health of the soil, water, and environment, which can contribute to better long-term agricultural sustainability.

Eating local is a way to improve personal health, strengthen communities and reduce environmental impact. Rowan County Cooperative Extension Donation Station plays a vital role in supporting Rowan County Meals on Wheels by providing fresh and local produce collected from the Salisbury Farmers Market once a month. This collaboration not only helps improve the nutrition of recipients but also supports local farmers and communities. We launched this program in May of this year and have already collected over 900 pounds of produce. Thanks to the support of local community members, we were able to reach this incredible milestone. We’re excited to build on this year’s success and collect even more fresh, local produce to support our community. Your contributions make a real difference, so stay tuned for updates and ways to get involved. Together, we can make next year’s efforts even bigger and better.

Shelby Carroll is agriculture and natural resources agent with the Rowan County Cooperative Extension.