Why should you buy regional and seasonal? To a sustainable lifestyle This also includes paying attention to the origin and season of fruit and vegetables. For animal products such as meat, eggs or milk, regionality also plays an important role in terms of sustainability. The term refers to the purchase of goods that are produced and consumed in the same region. Seasonality refers to the purchase of goods that can be produced under natural and seasonal agricultural conditions. But what exactly should motivate us to consciously look for such food in the supermarket or when strolling through the weekly market?
In this article, I would like to give you the most important advantages of "regional and seasonal" - and thus a clear answer to this initial question. Let's go!
Here is a brief overview for you in advance:
- Climate Friendly
- Supporting honest work
- Strengthen your own environment
- Generally cheaper
- You usually eat healthier
- No chemistry in environment
- Long-term food security
- Discover new dishes
- Fresher and tastier
- Role model for a more sustainable society
1. climate friendlier
When an apple is transported by plane or cargo ship from New Zealand to Europe and then still transported by truck to its destination, avoidable Greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter pollution, which can climate change and last but not least the air pollution accelerate. Avoidable, because you can also give preference to apples that come from your own region.
Tomatoes, for example, are in season in this country from April to October. If you buy them in December, for example, either Energy-intensive greenhouses or for foreign cultivation (for example in Spain) Large quantities of water the climate problem and, last but not least, the Water shortage intensify.
2. support honest work
Mega-corporations worth billions do not exactly stand for transparency and fair, sustainable action based on solidarity. On the contrary: Sources, production methods and use of chemicals are often disguised - and in marketing Greenwashing gripped.
Of course, the products of a large corporation can also be regional and seasonal. But in combination with organic and in organic farming products, you contribute significantly to the fact that Increased support for smaller, sustainable, handcrafted, transparent and not mass-produced companies, self-employed and employees be
Or can you imagine, for example, a low-cost wine brand trimmed to maximize sales and that you would be able to enjoy it over the Work of a winemaker on your own farm? Fortunately, there are now many winegrowers and farmers who can offer their customers consciously and transparently participate in the production of their goods. let
Ultimately, they also benefit financially, since the customer-side Appreciation - for natural wine, for example - is increasing accordingly. Due to the growing demand for honest, natural products, even job advertisements such as "organic farming consultant" are now advertised on job boards.
3. strengthen your own environment
By favoring regional foods, you ensure that the Strengthening the economy in your region becomes. Your well-earned money benefits the people around you. Ultimately, you and your environment will benefit from a wider range of jobs, an improved infrastructure or more attractive leisure activities, for example.
4. usually cheaper
A major advantage of seasonal products is that they are usually available at lower prices. One reason for this is that no transportation costs which would otherwise be passed on to the consumer. However, the lower costs are all the more due to the fact that a particular foodstuff is in the middle of its season. available in abundance is. Only at the end of the season does the price rise again, as the supply decreases. So in the end you can also save money through sustainability.
5. food is healthier
Large amounts of nutrients and phytochemicals naturally do in the respective season - and mostly without the use of pesticides - grown goods are so healthy. As the transportation routes are short, there is no need for chemicals and plastic film to protect the produce. To preserve food for as long as possible.
Regionally produced potatoes are naturally not automatically pesticide free. In this regard, you should also make sure that they have been produced organically without the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
6. no chemistry in the environment
You should also shop regionally and seasonally because it protects the environment in many ways. That less greenhouse gases I've already explained the problems caused by greenhouses and long transportation routes. The Air and soil quality is promoted by the short distances and mostly organic cultivation methods. The fact that the conditions for cultivation are ideal during the season also means that the Pesticide use in the fields lower out, whereby, for example, the Insect mortality reduced will.
Good to know: Regional and seasonal does not automatically mean environmentally friendly. For example, meat from cattle can also come from your region. Because of the high land consumption for meat products and the generally resource-intensive, mostly mass animal husbandryHowever, the product is anything but sustainable.
7. long-term food security
By shopping regionally and seasonally, we also ensure that we have something to eat on our plates in the long term. This is a crucial advantage, which is based on the fact that by consuming climate-friendly food, as few insect species as possible (such as bees in particular) become extinct, the Pollinate cultivated plants and let them grow as a result. The reduced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in regional, seasonal organic farming also helps to protect biodiversity and therefore our food security.
Tip: A conscious diet also supports the Fight against world hunger. In the linked article you can find out what else you can do in your everyday life to combat global famine.
8. discover new dishes
We humans are after all Creatures of habit who find change in life difficult. It often takes a little nudge to try new dishes. To consciously cook regionally and seasonally, opens a door to exactly these meals and recipe ideasthat you might never have tried otherwise. For example, how about some summery chickpea and zucchini pancakes with cashew sour cream - or a delicious smoothie bowl with tasty pumpkin seeds in the colder months?
9. fresher and tastier
Through the short transport routes and the ideal, natural conditions freshness and long shelf life can be guaranteed. As the fruit and vegetables do not have to be flown or shipped halfway around the world, they can also be harvested at optimum ripeness. At this point, the nutrient and flavor content is as high as possible, so you can taste the difference to food that is harvested early. For me, this is a major advantage of regional and seasonal produce.
10. role model for a more sustainable society
Other people also ask themselves why they should buy fruit, vegetables and other products regionally and seasonally. But Not everyone knows the advantages and reasonsfrom better taste and lower prices to environmental and climate protection.
By consciously paying attention to regionality and seasonality when making your purchases, you can set a positive example for other people and can Actively shape the future-oriented rethinking in our society.
Regional and seasonal shopping for a better world
Regional and seasonal goods are cheaper, healthier and more environmentally and socially friendly. So why not get yourself a weekly calendar and look for the country of origin in the fruit and vegetable section?
Finally, I would like to further articles that should help you with the implementation in everyday life:
Do you have any questions, tips or suggestions about the benefits of regional and seasonal foods? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay sustainable,
PS: You want to know more about the biggest environmental problems of our time and their solutions? Then take a look at the corresponding article next. Have fun!
