"Local food" is a popular idea. But why is it important to buy food grown locally?
In this episode, we dive deeply into what local food really means and why it matters more than you might think. Spoiler alert: it has a lot to do with your health. But, it goes beyond nutrition. From farmers markets in small towns to food science labs, we explore how the way food is grown affects its flavor, nutrition, and even your connection to the people who grew it. It isn’t just fresher… it’s personal. It’s political. And it’s packed with potential.
You can put your dollars where your values are.
Resources
Iowa Local Food Promise—Join the Iowa Food System Coalition by pledging a portion of your food budget to be spent on local food this summer.
What Does “Local” Really Even Mean?—Healthy Harvest of North Iowa’s Grow. Eat. Play. explores the question.
Food, Nutrition, & Health—Explore IFSC’s chapter on the connection between local foods and wellbeing.
Featured Voices
Ashley Kaldenberg—KaldenBlooms—Albia, Iowa
Dr Stephan van Vliet—a nutrition scientist with metabolomics expertise in the Center for Human Nutrition Studies at Utah State University. His research is performed at the nexus of agricultural and human health. He collaborates with farmers, ecologists, and agricultural scientists to study critical linkages between agricultural production methods, the nutrient density of food, and human health. His work has been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Scientific Reports, the Journal of Nutrition, and the Journal of Physiology.
Stay in the Loop
Stay connected to the latest in Iowa's food system news. Subscribe to our newsletter for timely news, action alerts, and event updates, all focused on supporting local farms and communities. Sign up today and never miss a bite!
