6 reasons why you should buy local

When it comes to responsible consumption, the option of buying local is often mentioned but is too often criticized by many who claim that this mode of consumption is much more expensive.

We cannot hide that buying local is close to our hearts, as we are a company that strives to promote local producers! Are you starting to take an interest in responsible eating? Try consuming local products first! We strongly believe that making such choices is more beneficial for our environment and society. Here are 6 reasons that will convince you to buy local, both for your food and other expenses:

To consume fresh and superior quality foods

More often than not, local meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables are of better quality than the same products from elsewhere, and there are several reasons for this.

First and foremost, it's evident that the loss of freshness during long transportation affects the quality of the products that end up on our plates! Also, for the vast majority of foreign fruits and vegetables, they are picked before reaching full maturity, leading to a considerable loss of vitamins and minerals since they don't ripen under entirely natural conditions.

In the end, the prices are often the same (sometimes slightly higher) for local products compared to products from other countries because the transportation costs are replaced by expenses that justify the higher quality of the purchased products. We don't know about you, but we prefer to pay for quality rather than more greenhouse gas emissions!

For product traceability

Have you ever bought meat from a supermarket, not knowing clearly which farm it came from? By sourcing from local farms, whether small-scale or larger, we can trace the journey of the animal in an instant. This is not only possible because our partners have responsible and ethical practices, but also because we maintain direct contact with them. We challenge you to obtain such details when buying in bulk from large American chains! ;)

Because it doesn't cost more

On the contrary, if you seek quality products from elsewhere, they are likely to be more expensive. This is due to the fact that transportation obviously incurs additional costs, but also because numerous preservatives are added to the food to try to preserve some semblance of freshness.

By buying local, we reduce the transport required to obtain the products and also minimize the use of chemicals for preservation. This is even easier when eating according to the seasons and adapting to the different harvests that take place throughout the year. Adjusting our consumption based on the seasons allows for more savings, all the more reason to advocate for local products!

To reduce our ecological footprint

Did you know that the sector producing the most greenhouse gas emissions is the transportation sector (road, air, sea, rail, and off-road)? Sourcing locally requires less transportation, which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with this activity.

Regarding the use of pesticides and chemicals for crops, Quebec and Canadian producers are also subject to more rules and standards than foreign producers. Buying local, therefore, encourages more sustainable practices that minimize environmental impacts!

To support more ethical and animal-friendly businesses

In addition to being environmentally responsible, local producers are also socially responsible. The decentralization of production and processing allows smaller businesses to significantly reduce costs, particularly labor costs, by neglecting the working conditions of workers.

In Quebec, companies are heavily regulated regarding the remuneration and other working conditions of their employees, ensuring that we encourage more ethical practices, from production to marketing.

As for animal welfare, the key is proximity between the consumer and the farmer. Engaging in direct conversations with producers, visiting farms, and choosing to support certain practices over others is priceless! Of course, not everyone can afford to buy directly from the farm. That's why Réserve Locale was born! We ensure a direct connection between the consumer and the farm.

To promote the work of our Quebec producers and stimulate the local economy

As the slogan goes: buying is voting! Consuming local products also means injecting money into our regional economy. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food of Quebec (MAPAQ), if every Quebecer spent $30 more on Quebec products per year, we would inject an additional billion dollars into the Quebec economy over five years.

At Réserve Locale, our mission is to inspire and help Quebecers adopt more responsible and healthier eating habits by offering products from local producers that respect the environment and animals.

To discover our products, click here!