Forget the supervisors from the other end of the world. What if your best slimming ally pushed a stone’s throw from your home, in the next door field? A Zava study reveals the classification of the French departments most committed to local food. An unexpected podium … and a surprise dunce.
It is proven: eating local improves health. Recent research shows that this approach makes it possible to better stabilize blood sugar, reduce abdominal fat, reduce blood pressure and even promote weight loss. As summer approaches, it is difficult to find a better time to look at the issue. The Zava teleconsultation service was therefore interested in the French departments most favorable to local, healthy and responsible food. Result: striking differences between the champions … and the last of the class.
Fenja Nolte, nutrition expert at Zava, says: “Consuming local and sustainable not only supports regional agriculture, but also accessing fresh products, often harvested at maturity, which better preserves their nutritional qualities“.
The benefits of consuming local health and the environment
More than a trend, it is a real public health lever. Locally produced foods arrive faster on the plate, often harvested at maturity, without requiring so many preservatives. This makes them richer in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, three pillars of immunity. For Fenja Nolte, this model reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as “obesity, type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease”.
Buy on the markets, in AMAPs or directly on the farm, also pushes to cook more, by reconnecting to your food choices. “”Cooking from fresh ingredients can also promote a more aware approach to our diet, with lasting results “insists the expert.
Finally, eating local limits the carbon impact: less kilometers traveled, less packaging, less industrial processing. In short, a gain on all floors … except for those who lack access to these resources.
La Lozère, premises champion according to Zava
Surprise of the ranking: The Lozère arrives in the lead with a score of 9.85/10. This small rural department checks all the boxes: 61.60 organic farms for 10,000 inhabitants, a record density of 5,998 organic hectares for 10,000 inhabitants and more than 5 local producers for 10,000 inhabitants. Short circuits are kings there. Even stores specializing in local food abound in it (0.783/10,000 inhabitants).
Behind her, The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (9.49/10) benefit from an ideal climate for quality fruits and vegetables, with 3,279 organic hectares for 10,000 inhabitants. L’Aveyron (9.46/10) completes the podium with 40.11 organic farms for 10,000 inhabitants and a solid offer of local producers.
© Zava
An observation that delights Fenja Nolte: “A diet based on local and low -processed products is generally richer in essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which promotes the proper functioning of the immune system “.
Why the Hauts-de-Seine closes the walk
On the other hand, Hauts-de-Seine Sadyly close the walk, with a 0.23/10. A direct consequence of their urban density: almost no organic surface, very few producers, or accessible short circuits. This ultra concrete territory, despite its economic wealth, illustrates the difficulties of urban areas in promoting local food.
But everything is not lost, recalls Fenja Nolte: “With the rise of short circuits such as AMAPs, markets and direct control platforms with farmers, even in urban areas, it is now easier than ever to opt for local products “.