One of the best things that individuals can do for the environment, their communities, and their health is purchase locally grown produce. The world is becoming more environmentally and health conscious every day. There a number of these tasks which go hand in hand. There are numerous things all people can do to protect the environment that cost nothing extra to only slightly more than their normal routines. Environmental Footprint Most individuals do not realize how produce reaches the grocery store. Many of these food items leave a very large footprint. Those which are grown in other states, or even other countries, require more energy to reach where you live. Consider how much fuel is required to ship tomatoes from one coast of the United States to another. Buying tomatoes from the local farmers market burns a much smaller quantity of fuel creating less carbon emissions.