Why Buy Local?

Knowing the source

Knowing the source of food requires a more invested approach to the food system. The increased transparency can encourage producer accountability for food quality and customer satisfaction and allows consumers to gain a greater appreciation for where their food comes from and who produces it. This relationship allows consumers to better understand the environmental impacts of their food choices and to base these choices on their personal values.

Freshness and flavor

On average, products in grocery stores travel more than 1,500 miles from production site to dinner plate. Nutrients and flavor degrade over time after food is harvested. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs picked at their peak of ripeness and sold quickly at a local market retain more flavor and nutrients.

Personal health

Many locally grown or raised foods are whole foods – un­processed or minimally processed without added fat, sugar, or salt. Tasty and healthy!

Supporting local family farms and preserving open space

Buying from lo­cal family farms and ranches helps keep them profitable. Profitable farms and ranches help preserve land and maintain open space.

Strengthening local economies and communities

Keeping food dollars in local communities strengthens those communities. If each household in Wyoming spent just $10 more per week on Wyoming-produced food, more than $100 million would be redirected annually to the state’s food producers.

Food system defense

Greater reliance on smaller food processors can help our food system become more adaptable to risks that can arise when food travels long distances from relatively few sources.

Sources

Pirog R, Van Pelt T, Enshayan K, Cook E. Food, fuel, and freeways: An Iowa perspective on how far food travels, fuel usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. Ames, IA: Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture; 2001. Accessed 12/6/10 at http://www.leopold.iastate.edu.
U.S. Census Bureau. Wyoming QuickFacts from the U.S. Census Bureau, households; 2000. Accessed 7/23/09 at http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/56000.html.