Local Food

Guide Note

The local food trend promotes eating food that is only grown or produced within a small radius of where one lives. Home grown or locally made products can be found in farmers markets and specialty stores.

Fast Facts

1. Also known as "regional food" or "food patriotism"
2. Local food fans are known as "localvores" or "locavores"
3. Slogan: "Think globally, act locally"
4. May reduce fossil fuel consumption
5. Organic food not necessarily the same as local food
6. Books about local food: 100 Mile Diet, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

It is difficult to completely eat locally grown and produced food, but by shopping at farmers markets, growing or raising your own food, and seeing what relationships local grocery stores have with local producers, it is possible to become more aware of where the food we consume originates and to exert some control over that.

The goals of the local food movement are manifold. There is a move toward increased sustainability in food production, and desire to reduce the consumer's carbon footprint. Locavores are interested in increasing the healthfulness of food and increasing accountability between buyer and producer.