Why is a local food system important to a community?
Well, you see why is a local food system important to a community well it improves the vitality of both rural and urban communities. How? They keep more food dollars in local communities and offer new business opportunities that can bring young people back home. Producers and consumers build relationships so that consumers know where their food comes from and how it was produced. Communities with a strong local food connection are more resilient to global food supply challenges and price fluctuations. farm-to-school programs help kids make healthier eating decisions now and as they grow up.
While definitions of local and regional food systems vary in terms of specific geographic boundaries or distances, they are driven by common goals. These include strengthening the economic well-being of communities, improving access to fresh healthy food, and creating market opportunities for beginning farmers and those who are unable to sell to wholesale markets due to their smaller size, limited resources, or unusual products.
There are many ways for farmers to get their products to local consumers.
Farmers choose their outlets depending on what they grow, their location, and the time and labor available. Some distribution channels include the aggregation of products from multiple farms, which provides the volume and consistency needed to reach larger markets. Typical distribution methods, all of which allow farmers to communicate their identity and production values to consumers, include Cooperatives—Businesses owned and run by a group of farmers who work together to market, aggregate, and sell their products. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)—Community members pay a produce subscription fee before the season starts, allowing the farmer to share risk with the consumer. Farmers’ Markets—Physical markets where farmers can rent a stall and sell their produce directly to the consumer. Food Hubs—A centrally located business that coordinates the aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, and marketing of local and regional food products.
Farm to School/Institution/Retail
Farmers and ranchers can sell wholesale directly to non-commercial and commercial outlets such as schools, grocery stores, restaurants, and hospitals. Producers often partner with a cooperative or food hub to provide the quantity and consistency that such institutions require.
