Organic and locally grown produce might traditionally be thought of as more expensive than the non-local variety, but that is about to change.

Local farms and large businesses like Whole Foods are discovering that locally-grown is becoming increasingly more practical.

“There are lots of energy costs in food today,” said Michael Docter, director of the Food Bank Farm in Hadley. “Over 90 percent of the energy required to manufacture produce is transportation.”

According to Docter, large retail chains and supermarkets have “no direct impact” on his farm’s business, but he said customers know the processed produce at retail places is “inferior” to produce places like Food Bank Farm offer.

One of the largest differences between organic, local produce and non-local produce is cost, the former being typically more expensive.

“The rising cost of energy is quickly making foods that have to be shipped from far away more expensive,” Docter said. “Most food gets processed in places like California.”

This results in retail chains like Whole Foods discovering that buying locally is not only becoming less expensive, but ultimately necessary.

Instead of spending money on rising shipping costs, retail buyers can save that money by purchasing their produce locally.

“We are big investors in local agriculture,” said Whole Foods representative Robin Rehfield.

Cost effectiveness isn’t the only advantage of locally-grown produce.

“It’s a lot fresher, too – at least four days fresher,” said Lynn Bowmaster, co-director of the Food Bank Farm. “Local food just tastes a whole lot better.”

Local farms do various things which help the local community. Food Bank Farm donates approximately 50 percent of all of its produce to the Western Massachusetts Food Bank, which is the reason for the farm’s name.

Many local farms also participate in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) projects, like the widely popular FarmShare programs.

“It’s good for prices, because it eliminates all the middle men,” said Docter. “Around 180 thousand pounds of fresh vegetables have been sold back to over 700 shareholders in the community.”

CSA membership is attained through a fee paid by the shareholder. That person can then come to the farm and retrieve a quantity of produce. The exact amounts of each are determined on an individual basis.

Because of strong programs like these, local farms are able to compete well in the produce market throughout western Massachusetts. Still, Docter would like to see more people interested in Community Supported Agriculture.

When asked about non-participating retail chains, Docter said, “The poorer they do, the better it is for us.”

Devon Courtney can be reached at [email protected].