Hellobee Boards

For me buying local is more important. I feel the food is fresher this way because it hasn't travelled a billion miles to get to me

Local. I feel better knowing that the food I purchase is coming from the surrounding area, and I feel that's more beneficial to the environment that organic food coming from mexico, california, south america, etc.

Also, while the local farms that provide food to the farmer's markets might not be certified organic, it's my understanding that many of them use many organic practices--they just don't have the official title of organic.

Local. At our farmers market, it's a nix of organic and low-pesticide, but only a couple of farms are actually certified organic, because it's a cost-prohibitive process for many small companies/farms. I also like knowing my money is staying in our local economy, and the lower transport distances are better for the environment.

Overall, local stuff just generally tastes better as they are not forced to stick to picking schedules dictated by transportation needs, and can instead pick at peak.

@hilsy85: just what I was going to say I buy local whenever possible. Especially for meats/eggs/dairy, because I can get a better idea of how the animals were treated. Most of it is organic uncertified or minimally treated, anyway. And, at a farmer market, you can ask questions about how things are grown, too.

Local is more important to me.

Local. While I don't do a lot of buying of either, I like knowing it came from a nearby farm.

Local, especially for meats. I like to know where my meat came from and the area it was raised. I prefer local for fruits/veggies too, knowing it hasn't travelled hundreds of miles to get to me.

For me, local.

@ms.janedoe: Oh good, I'm not the only one!! I don't pay attention to either and shop at chain grocery stores. But I agree that local would probably matter to me more!

@Adira: CHAIN grocery stores. Yes. That's the word I was looking for! Hahahaha, "big." Man, this morning is just a fail for me...

@yoursilverlining: should have read your post before replying! This, exactly.

We don't make it a point to shop for either on a regular basis, but we've had some problems with (even well-washed) fruits giving LMW a rash around her mouth. The same fruits from Whole Foods didn't. So we try to peel most fruits if they're not organic.

We do love buying local, however, whenever we get a chance to visit a farm or farmer's market! I love supporting local businesses and love the idea that it was just harvested near my home.

It depends for me. I probably lean towards local though.
At our farmer's market most of the produce is organic and a lot if all but organic (meaning that they use all organic practices, but aren't officially certified).

Local! I think over all buying local even if not organic has a lesser impact on our environment as a whole. I also believe produce picked and sold at peak ripeness is better for you than some thing picked immature and shipped and then ripened.

I also don't pay attention to either but I would sooner buy something because it was locally grown/ made over organic.

Both, if possible! If the choice is between locally grown or organically grown internationally I'll choose the local option.

Just an FYI that sometimes organic produce grown internationally is grown organically and then sprayed with chemicals before shipping to prolong shelf-life. Kind of defeats the whole purpose

Local but I definitely want it to at least be pesticide free!

Generally, I'll choose local -- but for a few things on the "dirty dozen" list, I'll choose organic instead unless the farm uses organic/pesticide-free practices but just isn't certified organic. A lot of smaller farms can't afford the fees to get certified but use best practices anyway, and I tend to gravitate toward those stands at the farmer's market because they're a bit cheaper and I like supporting the little guy.

@oliviaoblivia: Yes! Much easier to buy local in the summer when you live in a cold climate. So I guess the answer is 'it depends on the time of year' - once the farmer's markets close up shop for the summer, it's a tougher call.

Local.