The Mind, Body Connection Gets Stronger Through Food

A new study soon to appear in the Faculty of Public Health's journal suggests that participating in local food projects may have a positive effect on well-being and psychological health.

Local food is a growing movement and includes initiatives such as allotments, community gardens, community-supported agriculture, farmers markets and food buying cooperatives. Consumers are increasingly interested in where their food comes from. Retail sales of local food have grown significantly over the past decade.

Using an online survey, researchers compared participants of local food initiatives across three English counties—Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk—with members of the wider public. They found that those who participated in local food initiatives scored higher on standardized measures of well-being than those who did not participate. They also explored why this might be the case, looking at four different mediators known to influence well-being: connection to nature, the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, better diets and physical activity. Finally, they explored how different types of participation, such as for longer durations or in more active roles, influence well-being.

"These findings are encouraging to those of us looking at how sustainability and well-being interact," said Zareen Bharucha, the study's lead researcher. "They show that we should be looking more seriously at projects such as allotments, community gardens, community-supported agriculture and farmers markets, which can bring people together, improve diets, improve the connection to nature and help people learn new things. All of these help to improve mental health, which is one of the most significant public health challenges of our time. At the same time, they help build the foundations of a really sustainable food system, which is also fundamental for the well-being of people and the planet."