We Have Heard It Before… To Buy Local. Here Are 6 Reasons Why!

1. Higher nutritional value and flavour. When buying local produce, crops are picked at their peak as opposed to ripening during transport. The shorter the time-frame between the farm and your table, the fresher the product. Artisan products are hand-crafted and made in small batches, which optimizes flavour.
2. Quality control and transparency: With livestock processed in nearby facilities, local farmers have better control over the quality process, unlike large-scale industrial facilities. Consumers can visit the farms that they support and see how their food is grown and processed. It’s about knowing your farmers and developing personal relationships.
3. Builds community. With agri-tourism operations popping up everywhere, people are encouraged to visit local farmers. They meet the families, see the animals, and learn about the crops. When you buy directly from a farmer, you’re engaging in a time-honoured connection.
4. Strengthens the local economy. When farmers market locally and are compensated at fair value, they’re less likely to sell their farmland to large-scale industrial producers. The spin-off also creates opportunities for other local businesses and keeps jobs in the community. Buying locally puts you in the center of a web of food producers, connecting economy and nutrition.
5. Less is more. As demand increases for local food, prices continue to adjust. And, less is more in the sense that buy biting into a vine-ripened tomato, one tomato tends to satisfy the palette more than two or three tasteless tomato. We feel fulfilled on less.

Since 1932, the Hopcotts have been farming in Pitt Meadows starting with a dairy farm before expanding to cattle and then cranberries. Throughout the Hopcott’s history, they have worked hard at teaching friends and neighbours about the benefits of eating local food and supporting local farmers, which is why Hopcott Meats is a hub of ‘all foods local’ from meats, deli items and produce to sauces, condiments and baked goods. Hopcott’s newest addition–Hopcott Bistro– is a celebration of ‘farm to plate’. We encourage you to learn about our region’s amazing local on the Circle Farm Tour!