Eating locally is in — we are growing our own vegetables, buying produce at farmers markets, and dining more often at farm-to-table restaurants.
That’s what being a locavore is all about — eating mainly foods sourced from the local region — and interest in locally sourced foods has only grown during the pandemic.
When many of us have been stuck at home, it helps to grow our own tomatoes, lettuce, and other vegetables. Victory gardens returned in a big way in 2020 when lockdowns set in.
But not all U.S. regions are equally locavore-friendly. So how do you know which cities have the farmers markets, urban gardening plots, and farm-to-table eateries to meet your local eating needs?
LawnStarter ranked the 150 biggest U.S. cities to take away the guesswork. We compared the cities across 14 key metrics, from the availability of butcher shops and farm-to-table restaurants to the prevalence of community-supported agriculture. Scroll down for our ranking, takeaways, expert insights and more.
(Warning: Reading this study might make you hungry. But next time you order takeout, maybe stick close to home.)
Table of Contents
City Rankings
See how each city fared in our ranking:
OVERALL RANK | City | Overall Score | Commitment Rank | Access Rank | Support Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Santa Rosa, CA | 39.84 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
2 | Ontario, CA | 39.68 | 26 | 1 | 52 |
3 | Salem, OR | 35.82 | 1 | 26 | 5 |
4 | Vancouver, WA | 34.84 | 13 | 5 | 48 |
5 | Worcester, MA | 33.87 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
6 | Anaheim, CA | 33.49 | 32 | 4 | 121 |
7 | Yonkers, NY | 30.40 | 95 | 2 | 76 |
8 | Jersey City, NJ | 30.01 | 70 | 3 | 142 |
9 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 29.54 | 3 | 11 | 133 |
10 | Hialeah, FL | 27.21 | 10 | 15 | 59 |
11 | Peoria, AZ | 26.50 | 41 | 9 | 13 |
12 | Oceanside, CA | 26.47 | 11 | 20 | 39 |
13 | Oxnard, CA | 26.30 | 30 | 66 | 3 |
14 | Santa Clarita, CA | 25.96 | 33 | 12 | 127 |
15 | Riverside, CA | 25.82 | 16 | 29 | 10 |
16 | Huntington Beach, CA | 25.63 | 24 | 16 | 121 |
17 | Tampa, FL | 23.92 | 9 | 46 | 38 |
18 | Oakland, CA | 23.75 | 21 | 33 | 69 |
19 | Elk Grove, CA | 23.69 | 20 | 36 | 36 |
20 | Providence, RI | 23.37 | 52 | 14 | 126 |
21 | Orlando, FL | 23.08 | 8 | 50 | 116 |
22 | Cincinnati, OH | 22.83 | 5 | 56 | 82 |
23 | Chula Vista, CA | 22.80 | 38 | 28 | 39 |
24 | Fresno, CA | 22.65 | 14 | 128 | 2 |
25 | Fremont, CA | 22.57 | 44 | 24 | 69 |
26 | Irvine, CA | 22.41 | 31 | 39 | 121 |
27 | Glendale, CA | 22.38 | 50 | 22 | 127 |
28 | Scottsdale, AZ | 22.38 | 42 | 32 | 24 |
29 | Grand Prairie, TX | 21.95 | 86 | 8 | 78 |
30 | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 21.80 | 61 | 19 | 52 |
31 | Newark, NJ | 21.70 | 83 | 10 | 142 |
32 | Durham, NC | 21.62 | 79 | 18 | 12 |
33 | Miami, FL | 21.56 | 7 | 62 | 59 |
34 | Sacramento, CA | 21.51 | 27 | 51 | 36 |
35 | Tempe, AZ | 21.42 | 40 | 43 | 24 |
36 | Glendale, AZ | 21.41 | 54 | 30 | 24 |
37 | Bakersfield, CA | 21.01 | 4 | 146 | 4 |
38 | Washington, DC | 20.41 | 97 | 13 | 142 |
39 | Aurora, IL | 20.26 | 93 | 17 | 15 |
40 | Gilbert, AZ | 20.06 | 73 | 27 | 24 |
41 | Modesto, CA | 20.02 | 34 | 88 | 6 |
42 | Richmond, VA | 19.94 | 63 | 35 | 111 |
43 | Long Beach, CA | 19.67 | 37 | 54 | 127 |
44 | St. Petersburg, FL | 19.60 | 12 | 77 | 138 |
45 | Portland, OR | 19.40 | 88 | 47 | 7 |
46 | Winston-Salem, NC | 19.09 | 29 | 72 | 83 |
47 | Baltimore, MD | 19.01 | 104 | 23 | 21 |
48 | Tacoma, WA | 18.80 | 71 | 40 | 50 |
49 | Boston, MA | 18.44 | 106 | 21 | 134 |
50 | St. Louis, MO | 18.39 | 17 | 81 | 112 |
51 | Atlanta, GA | 18.09 | 48 | 60 | 104 |
52 | Newport News, VA | 17.91 | 105 | 25 | 142 |
53 | Stockton, CA | 17.88 | 74 | 59 | 8 |
54 | Chesapeake, VA | 17.73 | 84 | 41 | 94 |
55 | Fontana, CA | 17.70 | 72 | 49 | 52 |
56 | Salt Lake City, UT | 17.33 | 36 | 79 | 65 |
57 | Mobile, AL | 17.14 | 19 | 100 | 75 |
58 | Grand Rapids, MI | 17.02 | 109 | 37 | 22 |
59 | Birmingham, AL | 16.95 | 23 | 99 | 77 |
60 | Moreno Valley, CA | 16.70 | 69 | 73 | 10 |
61 | Port St. Lucie, FL | 16.69 | 18 | 113 | 18 |
62 | Cape Coral, FL | 16.59 | 28 | 102 | 74 |
63 | Santa Ana, CA | 16.57 | 39 | 80 | 121 |
64 | Virginia Beach, VA | 16.46 | 35 | 91 | 51 |
65 | Akron, OH | 16.28 | 123 | 31 | 66 |
66 | San Francisco, CA | 16.18 | 49 | 78 | 141 |
67 | San Bernardino, CA | 15.96 | 65 | 69 | 52 |
68 | Baton Rouge, LA | 15.96 | 15 | 114 | 139 |
69 | Seattle, WA | 15.85 | 111 | 42 | 72 |
70 | Raleigh, NC | 15.30 | 76 | 64 | 46 |
71 | Irving, TX | 15.19 | 98 | 53 | 140 |
72 | McKinney, TX | 15.07 | 119 | 44 | 107 |
73 | Chandler, AZ | 15.047 | 58 | 85 | 24 |
74 | Garland, TX | 14.89 | 120 | 45 | 102 |
75 | Greensboro, NC | 14.71 | 82 | 71 | 49 |
76 | San Diego, CA | 14.70 | 51 | 104 | 39 |
77 | Pittsburgh, PA | 14.51 | 130 | 48 | 68 |
78 | Norfolk, VA | 14.50 | 81 | 70 | 142 |
79 | North Las Vegas, NV | 14.43 | 87 | 61 | 142 |
80 | Knoxville, TN | 14.20 | 62 | 87 | 67 |
81 | Chattanooga, TN | 14.16 | 55 | 94 | 96 |
82 | Tucson, AZ | 14.10 | 25 | 129 | 97 |
83 | Rochester, NY | 14.05 | 101 | 65 | 44 |
84 | Mesa, AZ | 14.05 | 68 | 89 | 24 |
85 | San Jose, CA | 14.00 | 66 | 93 | 20 |
86 | Augusta, GA | 13.87 | 22 | 140 | 125 |
87 | New Orleans, LA | 13.86 | 56 | 97 | 120 |
88 | Aurora, CO | 13.75 | 145 | 34 | 57 |
89 | Overland Park, KS | 13.60 | 122 | 52 | 113 |
90 | Philadelphia, PA | 13.56 | 141 | 38 | 136 |
91 | Cleveland, OH | 13.27 | 121 | 55 | 109 |
92 | Frisco, TX | 13.23 | 107 | 67 | 90 |
93 | Phoenix, AZ | 12.88 | 45 | 130 | 24 |
94 | Las Vegas, NV | 12.87 | 47 | 122 | 142 |
95 | St. Paul, MN | 12.77 | 129 | 57 | 92 |
96 | Jacksonville, FL | 12.68 | 43 | 127 | 119 |
97 | Honolulu, HI | 12.56 | 85 | 95 | 19 |
98 | Tallahassee, FL | 12.34 | 46 | 131 | 84 |
99 | Fayetteville, NC | 12.22 | 90 | 86 | 81 |
100 | Plano, TX | 12.20 | 92 | 83 | 90 |
101 | Denver, CO | 11.78 | 124 | 68 | 142 |
102 | Austin, TX | 11.69 | 80 | 112 | 17 |
103 | Henderson, NV | 11.68 | 64 | 115 | 142 |
104 | Charlotte, NC | 11.66 | 118 | 74 | 117 |
105 | Madison, WI | 11.58 | 125 | 76 | 35 |
106 | Buffalo, NY | 11.49 | 138 | 58 | 43 |
107 | Los Angeles, CA | 11.32 | 53 | 138 | 127 |
108 | Minneapolis, MN | 11.30 | 134 | 63 | 99 |
109 | Des Moines, IA | 10.99 | 94 | 107 | 23 |
110 | Little Rock, AR | 10.73 | 67 | 123 | 115 |
111 | Brownsville, TX | 10.71 | 57 | 139 | 108 |
112 | Indianapolis, IN | 10.49 | 116 | 82 | 110 |
113 | Shreveport, LA | 10.49 | 59 | 145 | 45 |
114 | Nashville, TN | 10.42 | 96 | 106 | 79 |
115 | Huntsville, AL | 10.14 | 75 | 124 | 61 |
116 | Montgomery, AL | 10.13 | 60 | 143 | 118 |
117 | New York, NY | 10.07 | 127 | 84 | 114 |
118 | Arlington, TX | 10.01 | 108 | 105 | 105 |
119 | Columbus, GA | 9.80 | 89 | 116 | 135 |
120 | Dallas, TX | 9.70 | 91 | 119 | 73 |
121 | Fort Wayne, IN | 9.51 | 115 | 103 | 71 |
122 | Toledo, OH | 9.50 | 126 | 96 | 58 |
123 | Houston, TX | 9.39 | 77 | 133 | 85 |
124 | Oklahoma City, OK | 8.97 | 103 | 125 | 31 |
125 | Milwaukee, WI | 8.90 | 142 | 90 | 14 |
126 | Fort Worth, TX | 8.61 | 99 | 132 | 32 |
127 | Detroit, MI | 8.43 | 147 | 75 | 87 |
128 | Corpus Christi, TX | 8.32 | 78 | 147 | 89 |
129 | Kansas City, MO | 8.28 | 133 | 108 | 42 |
130 | Boise City, ID | 8.15 | 131 | 110 | 63 |
131 | Lexington, KY | 7.91 | 117 | 117 | 86 |
132 | San Antonio, TX | 7.91 | 100 | 142 | 47 |
133 | Columbus, OH | 7.85 | 144 | 92 | 33 |
134 | Memphis, TN | 7.84 | 102 | 134 | 100 |
135 | Tulsa, OK | 7.62 | 112 | 137 | 16 |
136 | Spokane, WA | 7.56 | 140 | 101 | 62 |
137 | Albuquerque, NM | 7.52 | 113 | 126 | 101 |
138 | Reno, NV | 7.42 | 136 | 109 | 88 |
139 | Louisville, KY | 7.31 | 135 | 111 | 131 |
140 | El Paso, TX | 6.75 | 114 | 136 | 132 |
141 | Lubbock, TX | 6.18 | 110 | 148 | 95 |
142 | Chicago, IL | 6.03 | 149 | 98 | 80 |
143 | Lincoln, NE | 5.73 | 143 | 120 | 56 |
144 | Omaha, NE | 5.71 | 139 | 121 | 98 |
145 | Laredo, TX | 4.93 | 128 | 149 | 137 |
146 | Colorado Springs, CO | 4.84 | 146 | 118 | 93 |
147 | Wichita, KS | 4.49 | 137 | 141 | 106 |
148 | Amarillo, TX | 4.36 | 132 | 150 | 103 |
149 | Sioux Falls, SD | 3.39 | 148 | 135 | 64 |
150 | Anchorage, AK | 2.38 | 150 | 144 | 34 |
Highlights and Lowlights
Best of Both Worlds
While many of America’s largest cities find themselves ranked middle- to low-tier, satellite cities control most of the top spots on our list. Suburbs like Vancouver, Washington — north of Portland — and Yonkers, New York — just outside the Big Apple — are ideal locations between urban amenities, such as bakeries and vegan restaurants, while a short drive from local farms.
Grown in California
The Golden State dominates our rankings, claiming 10 of the top 20 cities. The reasons are obvious: California is an agricultural powerhouse. One-third of all vegetables and two-thirds of all U.S. fruits and nuts come from this single state. It’s certainly easier to eat local when much of the nation’s food supply is just down the road.
Low and Dry in Texas
Three of the 10 lowest-ranked cities are in arid West Texas, where local produce and other locavore amenities are scarce. Amarillo, for example, is at the bottom of our access category, with one butcher shop and craft brewery per 100,000 residents. On the flip side, Grand Prairie, at No. 29, illustrates the Farm to Suburbs point, as it’s between Dallas and Fort Worth.
Ask The Experts
Locavorism offers many advantages, but it poses some tricky questions. We reached out to a panel of experts for answers. See what they had to say below.
- How can locavores vet the quality of the local food they buy?
- What are the best ways to find quality local producers?
- Locally produced food isn’t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious locavores buy locally without breaking the bank?
- What are the most common misconceptions about locavorism?
- How does edible gardening factor into the locavore equation? Has the pandemic increased at-home gardening and garden-to-table dining?
How can locavores vet the quality of the local food they buy?
Largely by using social media and by word of mouth. There are farmers markets held during warmer months in Ames and in Boone, Iowa. In Des Moines, they’re held year-round. The farmers markets serve as a source of information as well as locally grown items.
What are the best ways to find quality local producers?
Farmer Markets and possibly the local co-op store.
Locally produced food isn’t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious locavores buy locally without breaking the bank?
Consumers must be very conscious of what food costs at local grocery stores and then how much more they are willing to pay for buying directly from the producer or a local small business. Again, I believe social media (such as the Boone page on Facebook) plays a role.
What are the most common misconceptions about locavorism?
It’s a myth that these folks are always “back to nature” types. It might be just as much wanting fresher items, items with fewer chemicals. They may also simply want to support local producers.
How does edible gardening factor into the locavore equation? Has the pandemic increased at-home gardening and garden-to-table dining?
There is much gardening in the country, in small towns, even in the cities. While farmers markets are generally well-attended, I am positive that folks producing for themselves has increased significantly since the pandemic began.
How can locavores vet the quality of the local food they buy?
Quality is a very subjective measure that can vary from person to person. There are industry standards in agriculture such as Grade A vs. Grade B or “seconds.” This often has more to do with the size and physical appearance of the product (especially for produce) than it does with flavor or edibility.
Consumers may also have values that they equate with quality that have to do with how the product was grown or raised—meaning the farm practices and values. One of the best ways to “vet” quality—or at least gauge whether the product you’re interested in is in line with what you’re expecting—is to actually speak with the grower themselves, or an employee that is familiar with the farm’s products. This is possible when buying directly from a farm or buying from a retail establishment or restaurant that source-identifies their local products.
What are the best ways to find quality local producers?
Visit local farmers markets, browse the vendors, and strike up conversations with them. Also, there are databases of local farms such as MarketMaker or Local Harvest—although farm profiles are not always up to date on these. In Michigan, we have Taste the Local Difference which tends to be more up-to-date.
Locally produced food isn’t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious locavores buy locally without breaking the bank?
Understanding the seasonality of your local agriculture can help. When items are in peak season and plentiful, prices tend to be lower. See if the produce can be stored or preserved (frozen, canned, etc.). Proteins tend to be more expensive, so going for smaller portions and rounding out meals with filing fruits and vegetables can make for budget-friendly meals.
How does edible gardening factor into the locavore equation? Has the pandemic increased at-home gardening and garden-to-table dining?
Growing your own food is about as local as you can get and a lot of people find it very rewarding. There has been increased interest in home food production during the pandemic—for example, many of the mail-order poultry hatcheries sold out of baby chicks as more people took up backyard chicken raising in the spring. Fears over food supply shortages combined with more time spent at home for non-essential workers increased participation in home food production.
How can locavores vet the quality of the local food they buy?
Consumers need to educate themselves (from reputable sources like University Extension services, non-profits with a long history of solid reporting) about what represents quality. Is it taste, texture, nutritional quality?
Much of what we’ve been trained to identify as quality is really aesthetic choices like color and lack of blemishes, which may not indicate good taste or nutrition. Produce in particular needs to be handled properly by both farmers and consumers or it doesn’t matter what the quality was coming out of the ground. Farmers have recently stepped up their game in managing quality. It’s particularly important for produce growers to correctly take the field heat out of their products to make sure they will store well for consumers.
For meat, consumers have to accept that locally produced meats are going to be frozen and that freezing doesn’t degrade quality – and they have to learn steps to take to cook with frozen products. Organic meat is very difficult for farmers because of the lack of organic grains and local organically certified processing plants. But consumers need to think about what constitutes their main reason for buying locally produced meats – health (measures of calories and fat may vary in meat from ruminants that graze compared with meat from animals that don’t graze), environment (grazing can be beneficial to managing marginal lands, pigs and chickens can be useful for cleaning up food waste left in the fields, (not waste from the household!)
Above all those consumers who have the time and money should cultivate relationships with producers and cooperatives)to build relationships of trust. It can take time for locovores to develop the skills and routines to make these kinds of food their priority.
What are the best ways to find quality local producers?
Employing the same strategies that low-income consumers always do – working with friends and family to buy in bulk; taking advantage of numerous double-up bucks programs (if using SNAP), buying in peak season and preserving.
What are the most common misconceptions about locavorism?
We should be talking about sustainable food systems in general, and we should be taking a regional approach to food systems. That may mean buying things from neighboring states – but the basic premise remains the same:
- Ecological production of produce, dairy, and meat
- Making sure farmers, food businesses and workers are making a living wage
- Authentic personal relationships of trust that support all people in the community having access to this kind of food.
Sustainable food systems will not happen through the market alone – it will take a mix of market-based exchanges, self-provisioning, informal exchanges and sharing, policies, cooperatives.
How does edible gardening factor into the locavore equation? Has the pandemic increased at-home gardening and garden-to-table dining?
Self-provisioning accomplishes huge things! It helps connect people to nature, inspires awe, wonder, and satisfaction, and can help folks understand how much effort skilled food production takes – and how rewarding it can be.
How can locavores vet the quality of the local food they buy?
The best way to ensure high quality food purchased locally is to get to know the farmers growing that food. A farm visit can be highly insightful and also meaningful to the farmer to see heightened interest in their hard work. Many areas house local food co-ops, and many of these (i.e. the Bozeman Co-Op in Bozeman, MT and Moonflower Co-Op in Moab, UT), feature the local farmers from which they source.
What are the best ways to find quality local producers?
At your local farmers market and food co-op. Many small towns also house local food social media groups. In Moab, UT, we have a local food co-op, a Moab Gardeners and Farmers Facebook Page, and a Moab Foodies Google Email group.
Locally produced food isn’t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious locavores buy locally without breaking the bank?
One way is to shop when local food co-ops have sales. During the last hour of the day, our local food co-op gives away produce that is turning. For the rest of the day, this is housed in a discount produce bin. A growing number of farmers markets and community supported agriculture programs also are accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
What are the most common misconceptions about locavorism?
Buying local doesn’t equate to buying vegetarian or vegan.
Also, the perception that local food costs more is tied to a complicated and broken system in the United States where industrial agriculture operations producing nutrient-poor, pesticide dependent, corporate-owned crops such as mass-produced corn, soy, and wheat, are subsidized. Hence, products featuring these in our grocery stores are cheaper.
How does edible gardening factor into the locavore equation?
Every ounce of food grown in community gardens, backyards, porches, and living rooms decreases our dependency on imported foods. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with buying food that has traveled far distances (food miles).
Has the pandemic increased at-home gardening and garden-to-table dining?
The pandemic, as in past times of hardship, has resulted in the major growth of home gardening and local eating. Many community-supported agriculture growers saw their share signups double and triple when the pandemic hit. This is a silver lining to the pandemic – interest and support for local foods have grown exponentially.
How can locavores vet the quality of the local food they buy?
In conventional supply chains, quality can be based on size, color, taste, etc. In local food systems, consumers may value attributes of products that don’t fit within these traditional “quality” measures.
There is a growing movement to reduce food waste, and some local food markets cater towards providing “ugly produce” that would otherwise be discarded. Other consumers may value environmental attributes over other traditional quality measures.
What are the best ways to find quality local producers?
Many Cooperative Extension offices offer guides to local farms, and locations of farmers markets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also created national directories.
Locally produced food isn’t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious locavores buy locally without breaking the bank?
In-season local produce can be very cost-competitive with grocery store prices. In addition, many producers sell “seconds” at farmers markets – items that may have small blemishes but are otherwise perfectly fine.
Joining a farm that has a community-supported agriculture model (where you pay for a share of the weekly harvest at the beginning of the season) can also be a very economic way to buy local and support local farms and ranches.
I also recommend that budget-conscious locavores interested in purchasing meat consider less popular cuts. For example, a Denver steak.
What are the most common misconceptions about locavorism?
Perhaps that local food is always more expensive. Yes, there are items that can be more expensive, particularly as farms and ranches that sell through local food markets tend to be smaller in scale and have higher costs of production, but there are some items that are cheaper.
How does edible gardening factor into the locavore equation? Has the pandemic increased at-home gardening and garden-to-table dining?
Yes, the pandemic has increased at-home gardening. In Colorado, for example, our Extension offices launched a program called Grow & Give, which promotes modern-day Victory Gardens. People who garden are more likely to purchase from local farms and ranches.
How can locavores vet the quality of the local food they buy?
The concept of quality really depends on the individual. Some attributes can be assessed visually at the farmers market or farm stand, and the same with taste characteristics.
What a lot of consumers care about though are the attributes that are not easily observed, like production processes, worker treatment, and animal welfare. Educate yourself on the impact of different production techniques and speak to farmers to find those whose values align with yours. Word of mouth and social media are other great ways to identify high-quality options.
What are the best ways to find quality local producers?
Again, word of mouth and social media are the best ways to find producers in your area. There are national databases like Local Harvest that are a good place to start, but details aren’t necessarily comprehensive or up to date. Your state probably has a locally grown website for its state branded program that may include producer information. The Connecticut Dept of Ag has a list of farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs in the state.
Locally produced food isn’t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious locavores buy locally without breaking the bank?
The best way to save money is to make sure you’re purchasing products in season. I’d recommend getting acquainted with your state’s crop availability calendar, and purchase locally when those products are in abundance. Joining a CSA can be a good way to get local products more affordably, especially for meat. If you are concerned about eating all the produce you receive, a lot of CSAs offer half-shares, or you might consider splitting a share with a friend.
What are the most common misconceptions about locavorism?
The biggest misconception is that eating local is too hard, and only possible for wealthy consumers. It requires an up-front investment of time to learn about what is grown seasonally and who the area producers are. Once you get tuned into that local food network, you will find there are lots of available information sources and collaborative efforts to make this food more accessible.
How does edible gardening factor into the locavore equation? Has the pandemic increased at-home gardening and garden-to-table dining?
The pandemic has led to more people gardening, and an increased interest in local food. The question is if that trend will remain after the pandemic ends and we start to get back to normal. Edible landscapes are gaining in popularity from a land conservation perspective, and there are lots of resources for those interested in starting a garden. You can also explore whether there is a community garden program in your area that you would like to participate in.
Links:
Methodology
We ranked the 150 most populated U.S. cities in descending order based on their individual score totals. The city that scored the highest ranked No. 1, or “best.”
Metric | Weighting | Min. Value | Max. Value |
---|---|---|---|
Ranking in LawnStarter's “Best Cities for Urban Gardening” report | 12.5 | 1 | 150 |
CSAs (Community-Supported Agriculture) per 100,000 Residents | 12.5 | 0 | 20.52 |
Agricultural Workers per 100,000 residents | 6.25 | 0 | 4694.46 |
Commitment Category Total | 31.25 | ||
Seafood Markets per 100,000 Residents | 6.25 | 0 | 75.61 |
Butcher Shops per 100,000 Residents | 6.25 | 0.38 | 56.00 |
Bakeries per 100,000 Residents | 6.25 | 0.91 | 228.17 |
Farm-to-Table Restaurants per 100,000 Residents | 6.25 | 0 | 89.96 |
Vegan/Vegetarian Farm-to-Table Restaurants per 100,000 Residents | 6.25 | 0 | 12.50 |
Craft Breweries per 100,000 Residents | 6.25 | 0.50 | 76.98 |
Wineries per 100,000 Residents | 6.25 | 0 | 106.84 |
Local Food Hubs Within 100 Miles | 6.25 | 0 | 31 |
On-Farm Markets Within 50 Miles | 6.25 | 0 | 39 |
Access Category Total | 56.25 | ||
Sales of Farm-to-Consumer Food per Capita | 6.25 | 0.01 | 127.68 |
Sales of Farm-to-Store Food per Capita | 6.25 | 0 | 546.23 |
Support Category Total | 12.5 | ||
Overall Total | 100 |
Sources: LawnStarter, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Yelp
Why This Study Matters
Eating and drinking (milk, wine, beer) locally saves jobs. Local restaurants, craft breweries, and local wineries have been hit hard by the pandemic. Restaurants and bars were projected to lose $240 billion in 2020, and the picture for the early part of 2021 isn’t any rosier.
One way to satisfy your stomach and your conscience is to become a locavore, savoring the flavors mainly of foods grown and produced nearby.
Not only can eating locally produced food help struggling businesses, but it also helps the environment. The average bunch of vegetables travels 1,800 miles from farm to plate, whereas locavores typically eat food produced within 100 miles.
That’s a savings for consumers, distributors and the planet.
So dig into gardening, pick your own strawberries or apples at a nearby farm, get to know your neighborhood butcher. Eating locally just makes sense.
Main Photo Credit: Shutterstock