The modern way of life has taken us away from nature, so there are fewer and fewer farmers who grow food for their own needs. Nowadays, everything we want can be found on the shelves of large supermarkets, and even fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods that our ancestors grew themselves.
A few years ago, home-grown food became popular again. Many people retire to the suburbs, in rural areas, so that they can commit to a sustainable lifestyle and provide clean conditions for themselves and their children.
Is there sustainability in homegrown food?
This question can not be answered immediately, because there are various factors that you need to consider before making a final decision to switch to agriculture.
First of all, you should know that there are certified stores that sell fresh food, grown according to all production standards. That means you can buy it whenever you need it. Even if you grow several crops yourself, you will need to buy more so that you can supplement all your nutritional needs.
For home farming, you should know that it requires a lot of work, investment, buying fertilizer, making your own compost, but also the risk of weather disasters that would destroy the crops.
For domestic production you need:
- Carefully select seeds to make sure you get a quality crop.
- Adequate tillage, regular fertilization, irrigation, supplementation, and provision of growing conditions.
- Daily engagement and commitment to make sure you do things right.
- Awareness that you may lose some of your yields, ie not get the amount you need to have enough food.
- Regular maintenance costs for your garden.
- Plant protection from pests and diseases.
And what do you need for grocery shopping? Enough money and tracking down the sales and promotions on websites like https://us.promotons.com/retailers/jewel-osco.
Is this topic worth debating?
In fact, the answer to the question of what is better, cheaper and more sustainable will be different for everyone you ask.
It all depends on the lifestyle habits of the person and the way they grew up. If we ask our grandparents, they would say that there is nothing better than home-cooked food – and they will be right because they themselves control the quality and process of farming. But what they do not put in the price is the value of the labor and resources, which the farmers themselves buy and invest in their farms.
People who work in the city and have a dynamic life, on the other hand, buy from markets and shops. Some of them also have constant contact with farmers to buy fresh and organically grown food.
The price of these products is not only the final, at which it is sold. On the one hand, the labor invested is appreciated, but on the other hand, mass production carries other costs, such as transportation and maintaining the product life longer.
The cost of home farming also depends on climatic factors, the type of soil where it is planted, but also on whether you will grow it for home use only or whether you will want to market your products commercially.
Price comparison
There are several aspects to this title that need to be considered. So you, as a consumer, need to consider these factors:
-Do you buy for yourself from a store?
-Do you buy for yourself from local farmers?
-Do you grow for yourself?
-Do you grow food for sale?
The answers to these questions lead to the need to compare prices. For example, if you need a kilo of apples, you will compare the price in the store and at the farmer’s. It is very likely that you will encounter large price differences.
If you buy from a store, you trust the brand and the quality of their offer. Proven farmers also offer quality products, according to the production certificate. Unverified farmers, on the other hand, can give the lowest price, but there is no guarantee of quality. It all depends on what you are looking for.
If you grow fruits and vegetables yourself, then you know for sure what resources you use, but here you must also appreciate the factor of time and effort, to assess whether it is profitable for you.
Benefits of grocery shopping vs benefits of homegrown food
You do not have to wait for your favorite product to sprout and grow, but you can go and buy it right away. There are always special offers in stores, loyalty cards, and cashback programs. Food is always quality-controlled, so you can be sure you are buying good food.
Homemade food, on the other hand, requires effort, time, and dedication. You can also preserve the one you have leftover. You can also compost it yourself and additionally feed the crops.
The result: It’s tied!
This means that the cost of growing your own garden is almost equal to going to the market and buying the product you need.
Keep in mind that this analysis is made only on the basis of the cost, ie the final price of an agricultural product.
There are additional factors that can influence your decision. But keep in mind that agriculture requires a commitment equivalent to working hours, so you must be prepared for either that or hiring workers that you will have to pay accordingly.
Conclusion
The choice is yours as well as the cost estimate. You need to properly analyze all aspects. Many people tried to be farmers and failed. However, you also need knowledge, as well as a willingness to engage in this type of production.
Be careful in your choice, because the source of food for you and your family depends only on your decisions.
However, we believe in you and we know that you will make the right choice and calculate the costs well before you decide to grow food yourself or buy it in a store. You do it for your own good, but also for the good of your whole family and community.