If You Can’t Grow it at Home, Buy it Locally

I t’s not practical for everyone to grow a home garden, and well, some people just don’t have that green of a thumb.

If you can’t grow food at home, it’s important to buy locally, primarily from organic and sustainable farms. Wherever you are in Canada there are likely a number of organic growers near you that produce fresh vegetables, fruits, and even grains. Grass-fed, free-range livestock are also much easier on the environment as the amount of fossil fuels used to produce livestock feed is steep.

Organic farms grow food in soil that is not polluted with pesticides and herbicides. The richness of the soil is maintained through varying crops and the care put into turning the soil. Natural fertilizers using compost and animal manure are used to feed the soil, while worms aerate and process the soil. All of these things make for healthier plants, and a healthier you!

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada reports that only 1.7 per cent of the total number of farms in Canada are certified organic. While these farms span over 695, 000 hectares of land, and the sector is growing, it is primarily up to consumers to decide the fate of organic farming. Trends show more and more people are leaning towards organic, though many people still think that organic produce is too expensive, and many people still don’t think about it at all. Making conscious choices at the grocery store helps local, organic growers.

If more people support organic growing, the trend towards organic agriculture will increase—it’s the old law of supply and demand. Next time you’re at the grocery store, take a meander towards the organic produce and consider how you can help promote organic growing in Canada.

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