What does locally sourced ingredients mean?

Locally sourced ingredients are ingredients that are grown or produced in a relatively close geographic area to where they will be used or sold. This can mean anything from a few miles to several hundred miles, but the general idea is that the ingredients have not traveled a great distance before reaching the consumer.

There are a number of benefits to using locally sourced ingredients. For one, it can help to reduce the carbon footprint of the food system. When ingredients are transported long distances, they generate greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. By using locally sourced ingredients, we can reduce the amount of transportation required and thus reduce our carbon footprint.

Another benefit of using locally sourced ingredients is that it can help to support local farmers and businesses. When we buy ingredients from local producers, we are putting money back into our local economy. This can help to create jobs, boost the local economy, and preserve farmland.

Finally, locally sourced ingredients can often be fresher and more nutritious than ingredients that have been shipped from long distances. This is because ingredients that are picked and sold close to where they were grown do not have to travel as far, and therefore retain more of their nutrients.

For all of these reasons, using locally sourced ingredients is a great way to support the environment, the local economy, and your own health.