OH! Magazine - Australian Version July 2018 | Page 7

DR JOANNA ways, for example by fund raising for the local schools. They too have felt the pressure for supporting local and you may have noticed there is better labelling of local and imported produce. They also provide what consumers are buying. So, if we vote with our wallets we encourage a move in the right direction. Buying local is generally greener Generally speaking buying food that has been produced locally and transported a smaller distance is going to leave a smaller environmental footprint than food freighted halfway around the world. There are as always exceptions to the rule. We have to take into account the ideal environment for that particular crop. It has been argued for example that parts of Asia have the most ideal growing conditions for rice and Australia does not – rice is a water intensive crop. For this reason, it might well be more environmentally friendly to import our rice from Asia than to grow it ourselves here. Summing up We are lucky enough to live in a country that produces some of the best food in the world. Buying local is a win on so many levels from taste and quality, to nutrition and the health of both ourselves and our planet. Whether you are shopping in the supermarket, a local independent shop or online, we can support our farmers and food producers to all our benefit. TO FIND OUT MORE CONNECT WITH DR JOANNA VIA: Web: drjoanna.com.au Facebook: drjoannamcmillan Twitter: @joannanutrition Instagram: @drjoannamcmillan OH! MAGAZINE ( JULY 2018 ) 7