Buying Local is Gaining Momentum

Guest Post: Chloe Holt

Food sold in most grocery stores aren’t chosen based on quality, but low cost.  Produce generally travels 1300 miles from the farm it was grown on to end up in your local grocery store, despite the fact that the stores can buy food from closer sources.  Somehow, it ends up cheaper buying food from far away rather than from a farm twenty minutes away from the store.

And that is why these corporate farms and grocery stores have gotten so big: low prices.  This system has allowed corporate farms, only 9% of the nation’s total farms, to produce 63% of our food.  But what about the quality of the food?

Grocery store produce is grown to survive traveling long distances.  Somehow this tough, sturdy food, mostly picked before ripe, becomes more desirable than food that is tasty and nutritious.  While the upfront cost of grocery store produce is low, you end up having purchased low-quality, low-nutrient food.  Is eating an apple still a healthy choice when that apple lacks all its key vitamins and minerals?

It is said that “you are what you eat.”  Therefore, what you eat matters.  Where your food comes from and how it was produced is essential knowledge.

America is starting to wake up.  A number of local and national movements have arisen across the nation in support of local businesses and local foods:

• 10% Shift (link to http://www.10percentshift.org) 10% Shift is designed to stimulate the local economy, asking consumers to shift 10% of their purchases to local stores.  Expected results include the creation of thousands of new jobs, economic growth, entrepreneurial ventures, environmental protection, and enhanced communities.  San Francisco enlisted Civic Economics to predict what this shift would do for them, and it was estimated that 1300 new jobs would be created and that there would be a $192 million increase in economic activity for the region.

• The 3/50 Project (link to www.the350project.net) This project, started by retail blogger Cinda Baxter, encourages Americans to commit to spending $50 each month at local businesses.  The Project estimates that if only half the employed population did this, $42.6 billion in revenue would be generated.

Positive movements such as these and the possibility of such great results for the community are really stimulating change throughout the country.  Tacoma, WA, Santa Fe, NM, and Bozeman, MT have all provided five-figure grants to help start independent business associations.  Grand Rapids, Chicago, Utah, and Arizona all have thriving “Local First” programs that support local businesses and educate their communities on the importance of having local businesses.

Ultimately, all of these programs wish to show America that it is not that hard to support local businesses or find local food sources.  While doing this may sometimes present a monetary challenge, buying high-quality products and foods will ultimately save you money in the long run.  Food devoid of any nutrients or health benefits is not serving its purpose.

Here in Kansas City, it is astonishing how accessible local foods are.  Well-known brands such as Roasterie coffee, Shatto dairy products, and Boulevard beer is available all over the city, in grocery stores, restaurants, and from the sources themselves.  And when searching for high-quality, grass-fed meats, there is, of course, Full Sircle Farms.

Sources:

“Why More Are Buying Into ‘Buying Local’” by Kimberly Weisul (BusinessWeek)

“Buying Local: How It Boosts The Economy” by Judith D. Schwartz (Time)

+ websites linked to above)