Buying local isn’t a trend sweeping the food industry – it is a movement. A comrade of conscious shopping, the concept is growing increasingly important to the average shopper. But why exactly is buying local so beneficial? There’s a bounty of reasons, but the following five lead the way.

Support local industry

Perhaps most important is the economic benefit to the community. Buying locally made and produced goods is putting that money straight back into the community’s pocket. All of Tamar Valley Dairy’s milk is sourced from Tasmanian farms and delivered fresh to their yoghurt makers in the pristine Tamar Valley, supporting the local community and producers.

Fresher and tastier food

Buying from a local Australian producer or grower eliminates overseas transit. Imported produce in particular is often cold-stored from days to weeks while it makes its way to shelves – this means that locally sourced produce is typically fresher and more flavoursome.

It’s economical

Local growers can only offer you what is in season. And what it in season is in abundance, meaning buying local is gentle on your wallet. While rumours are rife that eating healthily is more expensive, this isn’t necessarily true. The key is sticking to what’s seasonal.

Help the environment

When buying locally you are reducing the food miles, an indicator used to determine how far food travels from paddock to plate. Buying items grown in Australia is going to have a drastically different environmental impact than something imported from Peru. In the Food Miles in Australia report 2016, the average shopping basket of 29 common food items had a food mile average of more than 70,000km – that is nearly the distance of travelling around the world twice.

It’s better for you

Locally sourced food is more nutritious. When there is less time spent travelling, goods are far less likely to be tampered with or contaminated from the distribution process. In general, local producers also enforce stronger regulatory standards. This is particularly true when it comes to Australia.