Local or Glocal? You tell me!
Food accounts for almost 30% of ecological footprint in Australia according to EPA. Food system is quite complicated around the world and most of the food we find in the super markets is sourced globally. Imagine the amount of travel all these sourced foods do till they finally get to their destination. According to research, food produced by a local farmer is more nutritious compared to to the food with the longest flight miles. The amount of energy used for the refrigeration and its storage can also have a huge impact on the environment.
60% of Australia’s retail market is mostly owned by two major companies so there is definitely an opportunity to raise our bars and think locally to have a positive impact on our environment and boost local economy by buying food from the source and closing the loop. Also, Local produce can be sustainable since it doesn’t involve mass production, unnecessary packaging and long travel. It is proved that communities flourish with less distances, close proximity to local food with diversification.
Farming methods used by small local food producers are more likely to be pesticide free and GMO free. The farmers market can also give more information about their food production to their buyers. Moreover, local farms build insect diversity through their range of diversified crops leading to the restoration of Biodiversity. Local framers have the techniques to produce food that have a lasting harvest period and is healthy and organic.
On the contrary, mass production of food can disturb the natural cycle of the soil and its nutrients and can lead to degeneration of the soil. It can also result in water pollution. Henceforth, to survive the climate change, Local farms can be the best way to produce food which is ethical, sustainable & organic. These local farmers markets, urban communal farms can also influence the communities to build their economy, compost their food through training programs and workshops and also prevent food waste leading to circular economy.
