4 Reasons to Buy Your Organic Produce from Local Farms in SA
Farming in South Africa has been a pillar of our communities for as long as anyone can remember. When we picture farms in SA, we might think of large-scale commercial producers, with fields among fields of crops and corporations laughing their way to the bank.
However, there’s another side to this picture. Small producers and local farms also have their “roll” to play. For household food security, they represent a huge opportunity to close the gap, and we at The Urban Farmer strongly believe in helping these farmers reach their full potential. After you read some of the key reasons to buy certified organic fruit and vegetables sourced from local producers, we think you might feel the same “whey”.
1. Promotes Conscious Consumption
Over time, humans have moved further and further away from nature. We at the Urban Farmer believe in bringing that connection back. Large-scale industrial farming comes at a price, in the form of toxins in our bodies & our environment. Removing these toxins from our diets can have anti-inflammatory effects. Being intentional about where we get our fresh fruit and veggies and what packaging they come in is more sustainable for ourselves, the Earth and our communities.
We urge local communities to step back before selecting any of their food choices. This includes choosing food products with biodegradable packaging wherever possible.
2. Fresh Produce from Farm to Table
As a local consumer, choosing organic fruit and veg near where you live will give you access to fresh produce with short travel times and healthy produce that is fresher & lasts longer.
Local organic produce is free from harmful synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and preservatives, making them fresher for the end consumer. While organic food can’t claim to be completely pesticide and herbicide-free, natural repellents are often used. There are various other health benefits to GMO-free fruit and vegetables too.
And let’s be honest, it just tastes better.
The Urban Farmer’s focus is to support local and small producers and provide you with the freshest and most high-frequency food. Our favourite suppliers are those who make their produce in their own homes. Local is Lekker!
3. Lower Carbon Footprint
Expanding on the two points above, we are choosing to lower our impact on the environment by choosing fresh foods, such as organic vegetables, organic fruits, free-range eggs, and free-range chicken. For starters, less time on the road means less fossil pollution in the air. Less synthetic pesticides and herbicides land in the water and our soil, meaning less damage to water bodies and the environment. Sustainable practices are used, so soil erosion is reduced along with many other benefits to the environment.
It even goes as far as what packaging this produce is available in. At The Urban farmer, we use a less packaging approach, and where packaging is necessary, we only use biodegradable packaging, glass, paper. We have a zero plastic policy.
4. Agriculture is one of the most essential sectors for food security in SA
Small-scale farming has been earmarked as one of the most significant opportunities for closing the gap in food security by the government. For obvious reasons, we depend on our farmers. They ensure that we have fresh bread, poultry, produce, juice and more. Supporting local farms, choosing fresh & healthy organic produce, and being intentional about what we put in our bodies and the environment, have the added benefit of supporting our local communities and helping them thrive.
We hope you found those reasons as compelling as we have and that you will become more intentional with your food choices in the future, as this was the best decision we ever made. Next time you reach for those leafy greens, consider where they came from. This is the reason we focus so strongly on local, small producers, as well as ensuring that as far as possible, our food is organic and environmentally conscious, from coriander to oranges, to lemon juice, to cottage cheese and poultry, sustainable choices can be made at every level. Nowadays, it is more straightforward than ever to support local farmers and make sustainable choices on a day-to-day basis.
Changing your diet and removing as many processed goods from your pantry as possible might be the change you need to lead a healthier, more natural life.
The Urban Farmer provides a way to do just that, allowing you to buy organic produce online, and have it delivered to your doorstep in no time at all. Here’s to a more organic Cape Town and South Africa at large.
