Locally grown fruits

Fruits are one of the most sustainable foods. You can include them in plant-based diets or meat-based meals. Although fruits have high nutritional value, some have a negative environmental impact. Some fruits like avocado, pineapples, peaches, bananas, and strawberries need enormous amounts of water to grow. They also have a high carbon footprint and use chemical pesticides that harm soil health.

You can eat sustainably by purchasing fruits grown in your local community. These fresh fruits didn't go through the rigors of transportation, thus reducing their environmental footprint. Also, buying fruits grown locally helps us eat seasonally. Some fruits only grow during the summer or fall season. We refer to these fruits as seasonal fruits. 

Another reason to include locally grown fruits in your sustainable food list is the high quality of nutrients they provide. Local fruits have more nutrients because the transit period between harvest and your table or freezer is minimal. Their nutrient value is still intact and barely reduced. Seasonal produce imported from another country loses some nutrients, if not all, because of the long time it spends on trucks and distribution centers.

Also, consuming organic fruits grown in local communities supports the economy. Local farmers reinvest the money into the community to grow more fruits. You can converse with local farmers and learn about their sustainable agriculture practices. Overall, consuming fruits grown in local communities is safe and healthy.