In comparison, some pesticides used decades ago are still present in the natural environment. Nevertheless, scientists are not yet confident that pesticide risks have been eliminated because many chemicals have not been adequately studied. The wide variety of diets among different segments of the population makes it difficult to assess health risks. People who eat large amounts of a particular type of imported food, for instance, may be unknowingly placed at an unusually high risk. Food is not as fresh as it could be if it were produced locally because it often is transported over great distances.
Fresher food is healthier and requires fewer fats to make it taste good.
In poor neighborhoods in particular, locally produced food could help improve fat-intensive diets. Furthermore, if more foods were produced locally, fewer dollars would flow out of the region and a greater number of jobs could be created within the region.