{"id":26413,"date":"2024-08-30T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=26413"},"modified":"2024-08-30T12:38:01","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T15:38:01","slug":"best-cities-for-locavores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/studies\/best-cities-for-locavores\/","title":{"rendered":"Backyard Bites: Best Cities to Buy Local Food"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Where in America can you easily find farm-fresh food?<\/p>    <p>With harvest season around the corner, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/\">LawnStarter<\/a> ranked 2024&#8217;s Best Cities to Buy Local Food.<\/p>    <p>We compared the 500 biggest U.S. cities based on 4 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thespruceeats.com\/what-is-a-locavore-5118259\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">locavore<\/a> categories. More specifically, we factored in access to u-pick farms, on-farm markets, and local dairy farms. We also considered local food movement chapters like Slow Food USA and Buy Fresh Buy Local, among 21 total metrics.<\/p>    <p>Shop at your local farmers market and cook up a 100-mile meal with inspiration from our ranking below. To learn how we ranked the cities, see our <a href=\"#methodology\">methodology<\/a>.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contents<\/h2>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"#rankings\">City Rankings<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#top-5\">Top 5 Close Up<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#key-insights\">Key Insights<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#ask-the-experts\">Ask the Experts<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#methodology\">Methodology<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts: Grow-It-Yourself<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>   <p><a class=\"js-anchor\" id=\"rankings\"><\/a><\/p>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">City Rankings <\/h2>    <p>See how each city fared in our ranking:<\/p>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"21e2a842-6453-4e0b-bf8b-936e3639de91\" data-type=\"interactive\"><\/div><script>!function(e,t,s,i){var n=\"InfogramEmbeds\",o=e.getElementsByTagName(\"script\"),d=o[0],r=\/^http:\/.test(e.location)?\"http:\":\"https:\";if(\/^\\\/{2}\/.test(i)&&(i=r+i),window[n]&&window[n].initialized)window[n].process&&window[n].process();else if(!e.getElementById(s)){var a=e.createElement(\"script\");a.async=1,a.id=s,a.src=i,d.parentNode.insertBefore(a,d)}}(document,0,\"infogram-async\",\"\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"29ffe318-64f4-416f-a871-e02ea8e4e250\" data-type=\"interactive\"><\/div><script>!function(e,t,s,i){var n=\"InfogramEmbeds\",o=e.getElementsByTagName(\"script\"),d=o[0],r=\/^http:\/.test(e.location)?\"http:\":\"https:\";if(\/^\\\/{2}\/.test(i)&&(i=r+i),window[n]&&window[n].initialized)window[n].process&&window[n].process();else if(!e.getElementById(s)){var a=e.createElement(\"script\");a.async=1,a.id=s,a.src=i,d.parentNode.insertBefore(a,d)}}(document,0,\"infogram-async\",\"\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script>   <p><a class=\"js-anchor\" id=\"top-5\"><\/a><\/p>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top 5 Close Up<\/h2>    <p>Check out the slideshow below for highlights on each of our top 5 local food-loving cities.<\/p>   <div style=\"min-height: 535px;; \" class=\"ub_image_slider swiper-container wp-block-ub-image-slider\" id=\"ub_image_slider_a8104859-220c-41fc-9d13-119340d7b753\" data-swiper-data='{\"speed\":300,\"spaceBetween\":20,\"slidesPerView\":1,\"loop\":true,\"pagination\":{\"el\": \".swiper-pagination\" , \"type\": \"bullets\", \"clickable\":true},\"navigation\": {\"nextEl\": \".swiper-button-next\", \"prevEl\": \".swiper-button-prev\"}, \"keyboard\": { \"enabled\": true }, \"effect\": \"slide\",\"simulateTouch\":false}'>             <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Portland-Oregon.jpg\" alt=\"A shot of Portland, Oregon\u2019s skyline at night from the opposite side of the Columbia River\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 1: <\/strong>Portland, OR | <strong>Overall Score: <\/strong>45.66<br><br><strong>Number of Local Farm Stands: <\/strong>130 | Rank: 2<br><strong>Number of U-Pick Farms: <\/strong>76 | Rank: 2<br><strong>Local Food School Programs: <\/strong>132 | Rank: 1<br><strong>Local Farms Offering Delivery: <\/strong>6 | Rank: 2<br><strong>Number of Agri-Tourism Businesses: <\/strong>191 | Rank: 1<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Shop for fresh seasonal produce at different farmers markets throughout the week with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.portlandfarmersmarket.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Portland Farmers Market<\/a>.<br><br>Find seasonally crafted meal prep kits and provisions like condiments and dairy products at <a href=\"https:\/\/theminnowpdx.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Minnow<\/a>.\u00a0<br><br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/long-exposure-photography-of-city-buildings-432361\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tabitha Mort<\/a> \/ Pexels \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/New-York-LS.jpg\" alt=\"Skyline Photo of Empire State Building in New York City\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 2: <\/strong>New York, NY | <strong>Overall Score: <\/strong>37.22<br><br><strong>On-Farm Markets Within 50 Miles: <\/strong>28 | Rank: 36<br><strong>Local Food Hubs Within 100 Miles: <\/strong>7 | Rank: 50<br><strong>Butcher Shops per Square Mile: <\/strong>0.53 | Rank: 2<br><strong>Bakeries per Square Mile: <\/strong>1.09 | Rank: 18<br><strong>Local Food School Programs: <\/strong>103 | Rank: 2<br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Explore NYC\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocavore.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">locavore directory<\/a> and browse through local goods in person at the <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocavore.com\/variety-store\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Locavore Variety Store<\/a>.<br>Take a countryside-inspired escape with a fresh meal from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.friendofafarmer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Friend of a Farmer<\/a>.<br><br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/skyline-photo-of-empire-state-building-in-new-york-city-2190283\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Roberto Vivancos<\/a> \/ Pexels \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Baltimore-1.jpg\" alt=\"Skyscrapers and high-rise apartments stand tall in front of a big cloud in Baltimore.\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 3: <\/strong>Baltimore, MD | <strong>Overall Score: <\/strong>34.36<br><br><strong>Number of U-Pick Farms: <\/strong>39 | Rank: 31<br><strong>On-Farm Markets Within 50 Miles: <\/strong>35 | Rank: 13<br><strong>Local Food Hubs Within 100 Miles: <\/strong>18 | Rank: 2<br><strong>Local Food School Programs: <\/strong>22 | Rank: 20<br><strong>Local Farms Offering On-Farm Pickup: <\/strong>23 | Rank: 7<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Baltimore supports farmers and locavores through the city\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baltimoresustainability.org\/projects\/baltimore-food-policy-initiative\/homegrown-baltimore\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Homegrown Baltimore<\/a> initiative.<br>Residents can explore local options on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baltimorefoodshed.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Baltimore Foodshed<\/a> map.<br><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.maggiesfarmmd.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maggie\u2019s Farm<\/a> is a favorite farm-to-table spot for locals. Another option is <a href=\"https:\/\/gertrudesbaltimore.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gertrude\u2019s<\/a>, which serves up a Chesapeake-inspired menu inside the Baltimore Museum of Art.\u00a0<br><br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/tall-buildings-in-baltimore-city-8436663\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Styves Exantus<\/a> \/ Pexels \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/pexels-pixabay-208766-2-1.png\" alt=\"Birds Eye Photography of White Concrete Building\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 4: <\/strong>Washington, DC | <strong>Overall Score: <\/strong>34.3<br><br><strong>On-Farm Markets Within 50 Miles: <\/strong>36 | Rank: 9<br><strong>Local Food Hubs Within 100 Miles: <\/strong>16 | Rank: 5<br><strong>Local Food School Programs: <\/strong>59 | Rank: 6<br><strong>Local Farms Offering On-Farm Pickup: <\/strong>20 | Rank: 13<br><strong>Number of Slow Food USA Local Chapters: <\/strong>1 | Rank: 5 (TIE)<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Gather your weekly produce and discover local coffee, cheese, and jams at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freshfarm.org\/markets\/dupont-circle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dupont Circle<\/a> farmers market.<br>Discover restaurants with a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.slowfooddc.org\/snail-of-approval-winners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Snail of Approval<\/a>,\u201d designated by Slow Food D.C.<br><br>Feast on a seasonal dinner with ingredients sourced within 150 miles of the city at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninamaydc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nina May<\/a>.<br><br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/aerial-aerial-view-architecture-attractions-208766\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pixabay<\/a> \/ Pexels \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Seattle-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"A view of the Seattle, Washington skyline and Puget Sound, with the iconic Space Needle tower in the foreground\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 5: <\/strong>Seattle, WA | <strong>Overall Score: <\/strong>31.88<br><br><strong>Number of U-Pick Farms: <\/strong>47 | Rank: 14<br><strong>Craft Breweries per Square Mile: <\/strong>0.92 | Rank: 5<br><strong>Local Food School Programs: <\/strong>29 | Rank: 16<br><strong>Local Farms Offering On-Farm Pickup: <\/strong>12 | Rank: 78<br><strong>Number of Agri-Tourism Businesses: <\/strong>68 | Rank: 52<br><br><strong>Local tips: <\/strong>Go out and forage the ingredients yourself with <a href=\"https:\/\/savorthewildtours.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Savor the Wild<\/a> tours.<br><br>Buy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seasonalfoodguide.org\/why-eat-seasonally\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">seasonal produce<\/a> at a local <a href=\"https:\/\/seattlefarmersmarkets.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">farmers market<\/a> and head to a park for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/studies\/best-cities-picnic-lovers\/\">picnic<\/a><br>Sip on local craft beers in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitballard.com\/ballardbrewerydis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ballard Brewery District<\/a>.<br><br>Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/aerial-view-of-city-buildings-3964406\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Josh Fields<\/a> \/ Pexels \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><\/div>             <div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>             <div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div> <div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div>         <\/div>  <p><a class=\"js-anchor\" id=\"key-insights\"><\/a><\/p>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Insights<\/h2>    <p><strong>Portland, Oregon<\/strong> (No. 1), continues to dominate the local food scene, alongside its suburbs, <strong>Beaverton<\/strong> (No. 7), <strong>Hillsboro<\/strong> (No. 11), and <strong>Gresham<\/strong> (No. 19). This region has a high density of <strong>farm stands<\/strong>, <strong>u-pick farms<\/strong>, and <strong>agri-tourism businesses<\/strong>.<\/p>    <p>Foodies from <strong>Maryland to New Hampshire<\/strong> take eating local seriously. All ranked cities across <strong>7 Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states<\/strong> score in the <strong>top half<\/strong> of our ranking, with impressive access to <strong>farm stands<\/strong>, <strong>u-pick farms<\/strong>, and farms offering <strong>on-farm markets, pickup, and delivery<\/strong> services.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p><strong>Texas cities<\/strong> and <strong>Southwestern states<\/strong> finish <strong>near the bottom<\/strong>, alongside <strong>Anchorage, Alaska<\/strong>, in <strong>last place<\/strong>. Most cities in Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas <strong>lack farm stands<\/strong>, <strong>on-farm markets<\/strong>, and <strong>u-pick farms<\/strong> for finding fresh produce. These cities also claim <strong>fewer local businesses<\/strong> like <strong>craft breweries<\/strong> and <strong>wineries<\/strong>.<\/p>    <p>Without a national directory, we couldn\u2019t highlight grocers selling local food in this study. Maybe urban Texans aren\u2019t seeking out farm stands when H-E-B is right around the corner, stocked with <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtexasourfuture.com\/local-sourcing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">locally sourced products<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Chomp through more regional insights <a href=\"#media-resources\">below<\/a>.<\/p>   <p><a class=\"js-anchor\" id=\"ask-the-experts\"><\/a><\/p>  <div id=\"experts-block\" class=\"experts\">     <h2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold text-black mb-3\">Ask The Experts<\/h2>    <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From reducing greenhouse-gas <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/changing-america\/sustainability\/climate-change\/3529864-transition-to-locally-sourced-food-can-reduce-high-transport-emissions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">emissions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to boosting your local economy, eating local offers plenty of benefits for everyone in your community.<\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We turned to a panel of experts for more local food insights. See their tips below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <ol> <li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How can people vet the quality of the local food they purchase?<\/span><\/li> <li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What are the best ways to find quality local producers?<\/span><\/li> <li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Locally produced food isn\u2019t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. 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Jablonski <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Assistant Professor and Food Systems Extension Economist<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('cristina-connolly', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Cristina-Connolly.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Cristina Connolly\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Cristina Connolly <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Assistant Professor, Agricultural &amp; Resource Economics, College of Agriculture, health and Natural Economics<\/div>           <\/div>                   <\/div>                     <div           id=\"expert-michael-stahr\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'michael-stahr', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'michael-stahr'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('michael-stahr', 'expert'); 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expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'michael-stahr'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('michael-stahr')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Michael-Stahr-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Michael Stahr\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Michael Stahr <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">CSA, CVT &#8211; Manager<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Iowa State University Seed Laboratory<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><b>How can people vet the quality of the local food they buy?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Largely by using social media and by word of mouth.\u00a0 There are farmers markets held during warmer months in Ames and in Boone, Iowa.\u00a0 In Des Moines, they&#8217;re held year-round.\u00a0 The farmers markets serve as a source of information as well as locally grown items.<\/span><\/p> <p><b>What are the best ways to find quality local producers?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Farmer Markets and possibly the local co-op store.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p><b>Locally produced food isn\u2019t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious shoppers buy locally without breaking the bank?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.\u00a0 Again, I believe social media (such as the Boone page on Facebook) plays a role.<\/span><\/p> <p><b>What are the most common misconceptions about eating locally?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It&#8217;s a myth that these folks are always \u201cback to nature\u201d types.\u00a0 It might be just as much wanting fresher items, items with fewer chemicals. They may also simply want to support local producers.<\/span><\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-mariel-borgman\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'mariel-borgman', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'mariel-borgman'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('mariel-borgman', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'mariel-borgman', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'mariel-borgman'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('mariel-borgman', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mariel-Borgman-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Mariel Borgman\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'mariel-borgman'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Mariel Borgman <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'mariel-borgman'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Community Food Systems Educator<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'mariel-borgman'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Michigan State University<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'mariel-borgman'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('mariel-borgman', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'mariel-borgman'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('mariel-borgman')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mariel-Borgman-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Mariel Borgman\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Mariel Borgman <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Community Food Systems Educator<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Michigan State University<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><b>How can people vet the quality of the local food they buy?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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 \u201cseconds.\u201d 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. <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Consumers may also have values that they equate with quality that have to do with how the product was grown or raised\u2014meaning the farm practices and values. One of the best ways to \u201cvet\u201d quality\u2014or at least gauge whether the product you&#8217;re interested in is in line with what you&#8217;re expecting\u2014is to actually speak with the grower themselves, or an employee that is familiar with the farm\u2019s products. This is possible when buying directly from a farm or buying from a retail establishment or restaurant that source-identifies their local products.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p><b>What are the best ways to find quality local producers?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Visit local farmers markets, browse the vendors, and strike up conversations with them. Also, there are databases of local farms such as<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/foodmarketmaker.com\/main\/about\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MarketMaker<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.localharvest.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Local Harvest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2014although farm profiles are not always up to date on these. In Michigan, we have<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.localdifference.org\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Taste the Local Difference<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> which tends to be more up-to-date.<\/span><\/p> <p><b>Locally produced food isn\u2019t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious shoppers buy locally without breaking the bank?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-mary-hendrickson-phd\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'mary-hendrickson-phd', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'mary-hendrickson-phd'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('mary-hendrickson-phd', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'mary-hendrickson-phd', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'mary-hendrickson-phd'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('mary-hendrickson-phd', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mary-Hendrickson-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Mary Hendrickson\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'mary-hendrickson-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Mary Hendrickson, PhD <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'mary-hendrickson-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Associate Professor, College of Agricultural Science, Food &amp; Natural Resources<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'mary-hendrickson-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Missouri<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'mary-hendrickson-phd'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('mary-hendrickson-phd', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'mary-hendrickson-phd'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('mary-hendrickson-phd')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mary-Hendrickson-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Mary Hendrickson\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Mary Hendrickson, PhD <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Associate Professor, College of Agricultural Science, Food &amp; Natural Resources<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Missouri<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><b>How can people vet the quality of the local food they buy?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.\u00a0 Is it taste, texture, nutritional quality?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Much of what we\u2019ve been trained to identify as quality is really aesthetic choices like color and lack of blemishes, which may not indicate good taste or nutrition.\u00a0 Produce in particular needs to be handled properly by both farmers and consumers or it doesn\u2019t matter what the quality was coming out of the ground. Farmers have recently stepped up their game in managing quality.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s particularly important for produce growers to correctly take the field heat out of their products to make sure they will store well for consumers. <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For meat, consumers have to accept that locally produced meats are going to be frozen and that freezing doesn\u2019t degrade quality \u2013 and they have to learn steps to take to cook with frozen products.\u00a0 Organic meat is very difficult for farmers because of the lack of organic grains and local organically certified processing plants.\u00a0 But consumers need to think about what constitutes their main reason for buying locally produced meats \u2013 health (measures of calories and fat may vary in meat from ruminants that graze compared with meat from animals that don\u2019t 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!)<\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Above all those consumers who have the time and money should cultivate relationships with producers and cooperatives)to build relationships of trust.\u00a0 It can take time for locovores to develop the skills and routines to make these kinds of food their priority.<\/span><\/p> <p><b>What are the best ways to find quality local producers?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Employing the same strategies that low-income consumers always do \u2013 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p><b>What are the most common misconceptions about eating locally?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We should be talking about sustainable food systems in general, and we should be taking a regional approach to food systems.\u00a0 That may mean buying things from neighboring states \u2013 but the basic premise remains the same: <\/span><\/p> <ol> <li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ecological production of produce, dairy, and meat<\/span><\/li> <li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Making sure farmers, food businesses and workers are making a living wage<\/span><\/li> <li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Authentic personal relationships of trust that support all people in the community having access to this kind of food.\u00a0<\/span><\/li> <\/ol> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sustainable food systems will not happen through the market alone \u2013 it will take a mix of market-based exchanges, self-provisioning, informal exchanges and sharing, policies, cooperatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-roslynn-gh-brain-mccann\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'roslynn-gh-brain-mccann', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'roslynn-gh-brain-mccann'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('roslynn-gh-brain-mccann', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'roslynn-gh-brain-mccann', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'roslynn-gh-brain-mccann'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('roslynn-gh-brain-mccann', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Roslynn-Brain-McCann-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Roslynn Brain McCann\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'roslynn-gh-brain-mccann'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Roslynn G.H. Brain McCann <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'roslynn-gh-brain-mccann'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Sustainable Communities Extension Specialist<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'roslynn-gh-brain-mccann'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Utah State University Moab<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'roslynn-gh-brain-mccann'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('roslynn-gh-brain-mccann', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'roslynn-gh-brain-mccann'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('roslynn-gh-brain-mccann')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Roslynn-Brain-McCann-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Roslynn Brain McCann\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Roslynn G.H. Brain McCann <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Sustainable Communities Extension Specialist<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Utah State University Moab<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><b>How can people vet the quality of the local food they buy?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p> <p><b>What are the best ways to find quality local producers?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p> <p><b>Locally produced food isn\u2019t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious shoppers buy locally without breaking the bank?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p> <p><b>What are the most common misconceptions about eating locally?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Buying local doesn\u2019t equate to buying vegetarian or vegan. <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-dr-becca-br-jablonski\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'dr-becca-br-jablonski', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'dr-becca-br-jablonski'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('dr-becca-br-jablonski', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'dr-becca-br-jablonski', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'dr-becca-br-jablonski'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('dr-becca-br-jablonski', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Becca-Jablonski-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Dr. Becca Jablonski\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'dr-becca-br-jablonski'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Dr. Becca B.R. Jablonski <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'dr-becca-br-jablonski'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor and Food Systems Extension Economist<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'dr-becca-br-jablonski'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'dr-becca-br-jablonski'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('dr-becca-br-jablonski', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'dr-becca-br-jablonski'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('dr-becca-br-jablonski')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Becca-Jablonski-1.png?wsr\" alt=\"Dr. Becca Jablonski\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Dr. Becca B.R. Jablonski <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor and Food Systems Extension Economist<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><b>How can people vet the quality of the local food they buy?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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&#8217;t fit within these traditional &#8220;quality&#8221; measures. <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There is a growing movement to reduce food waste, and some local food markets cater towards providing &#8220;ugly produce&#8221; that would otherwise be discarded. Other consumers may value environmental attributes over other traditional quality measures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p><b>What are the best ways to find quality local producers?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many Cooperative Extension offices offer guides to local farms, and locations of farmers markets.\u00a0 The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also created <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ams.usda.gov\/services\/local-regional\/food-directories\">national directories.<\/a><\/span><\/p> <p><b>Locally produced food isn\u2019t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious shoppers buy locally without breaking the bank?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In-season local produce can be very cost-competitive with grocery store prices. In addition, many producers sell &#8220;seconds&#8221; at farmers markets &#8211; items that may have small blemishes but are otherwise perfectly fine. <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> I also recommend that budget-conscious locavores interested in purchasing meat consider less popular cuts. For example, a Denver steak.<\/span><\/p> <p><b>What are the most common misconceptions about eating locally?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-cristina-connolly\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'cristina-connolly', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'cristina-connolly'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('cristina-connolly', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'cristina-connolly', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'cristina-connolly'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('cristina-connolly', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Cristina-Connolly.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Cristina Connolly\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'cristina-connolly'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Cristina Connolly <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'cristina-connolly'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor, Agricultural &amp; Resource Economics, College of Agriculture, health and Natural Economics<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'cristina-connolly'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Connecticut<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'cristina-connolly'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('cristina-connolly', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'cristina-connolly'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('cristina-connolly')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Cristina-Connolly.jpg?wsr\" alt=\"Cristina Connolly\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Cristina Connolly <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor, Agricultural &amp; Resource Economics, College of Agriculture, health and Natural Economics<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Connecticut<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><b>How can people vet the quality of the local food they buy?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The concept of quality really depends on the individual.\u00a0 Some attributes can be assessed visually at the farmers market or farm stand, and the same with taste characteristics.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.\u00a0 Word of mouth and social media are other great ways to identify high-quality options.<\/span><\/p> <p><b>What are the best ways to find quality local producers?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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\u2019t necessarily comprehensive or up to date.\u00a0 Your state probably has a locally grown website for its state branded program that may include producer information.\u00a0 The Connecticut\u00a0 Dept of Ag has a list of <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/DOAG\/ADaRC\/Publications\/Farmers-Markets\">farmers markets,<\/a> farm stands, and CSAs in the state.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p><b>Locally produced food isn\u2019t necessarily cheaper than food sold at grocery stores. How can budget-conscious shoppers buy locally without breaking the bank?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The best way to save money is to make sure you&#8217;re purchasing products in season.\u00a0 I\u2019d recommend getting acquainted with your state\u2019s crop availability calendar, and purchase locally when those products are in abundance.\u00a0 Joining a CSA can be a good way to get local products more affordably, especially for meat.\u00a0 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> <p><b>\u00a0What are the most common misconceptions about eating locally?<\/b><\/p> <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The biggest misconception is that eating local is too hard, and only possible for wealthy consumers.\u00a0 It requires an up-front investment of time to learn about what is grown seasonally and who the area producers are.\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>              <\/div> <\/div>   <p><\/p>   <p><a class=\"js-anchor\" id=\"methodology\"><\/a><\/p>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Methodology<\/h2>    <p>First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Best Cities to Buy Local Food. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into 4 categories: Access, Convenience, Support, and Interest. The categories, factors, and their weights are listed in the table below.<\/p>    <p>For each of the 500 biggest U.S. cities, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.<\/p>    <p>Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each city to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A city\u2019s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked \u201cBest\u201d (No. 1) and the lowest \u201cWorst\u201d (No. 500).<\/p>    <p>Notes:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>The \u201cWorst\u201d among individual factors may not be No. 500 due to ties.<\/li>    <li>This year\u2019s analysis did not include Community-Supported Agriculture (CSAs) due to errors in the source data.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p>The analysis <strong>did not include<\/strong> farmers markets, farm-to-table restaurants, co-ops, and grocery stores selling local products due to a lack of national data.<\/p>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"35df57ba-773e-47a1-bd29-5b6bfcb9e4d9\" data-type=\"interactive\"><\/div><script>!function(e,t,s,i){var n=\"InfogramEmbeds\",o=e.getElementsByTagName(\"script\"),d=o[0],r=\/^http:\/.test(e.location)?\"http:\":\"https:\";if(\/^\\\/{2}\/.test(i)&&(i=r+i),window[n]&&window[n].initialized)window[n].process&&window[n].process();else if(!e.getElementById(s)){var a=e.createElement(\"script\");a.async=1,a.id=s,a.src=i,d.parentNode.insertBefore(a,d)}}(document,0,\"infogram-async\",\"\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\");<\/script>    <p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong><em>Sources:<\/em><\/strong><em> A Greener World, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Brewers Association, Brewery Collectibles Club of America, Brewery DB, Buy Fresh Buy Local, Dairy Foods, Google Ads, Local Harvest, Marinas.com, Near Home, other LawnStarter studies, Slow Food USA, The Edible Schoolyard Project, Tripadvisor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Yelp<\/em><\/p>   <p><a class=\"js-anchor\" id=\"final-thoughts\"><\/a><\/p>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts: Grow-It-Yourself<\/h2>    <p>Food travels far. Be mindful of your \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodmiles.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">food miles<\/a>\u201d \u2014 or how far it takes ingredients to get from the farm to your plate, with all the gas, packaging, and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>Local governments are getting involved in the locavore movement too, with New York <a href=\"https:\/\/cbs6albany.com\/news\/local\/new-york-state-governor-kathy-hochul-executive-order-32-local-food-farmers-producers-food-sap-maple-sytup-wineries-apples-cider-senator-rachel-may\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">passing legislation<\/a> in 2023 requiring state agencies to increase their investments in food grown in-state.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p>As interest in farm-to-table cuisine continues to rise, many Americans are exploring new ways to find food grown close to home. Another way to eat local is by sourcing food from your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/gardening-2\/vegetable-garden-ideas\/\">own backyard<\/a>. You could call this yard-to-table cuisine.<\/p>    <p>As of 2020, <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenpals.com\/gardening-statistics\/#:~:text=4.-,55%25%20of%20American%20households%20engage%20in%20gardening%20activities.,-2020%20gardening%20research\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more than half<\/a> of U.S. households maintain a garden. Learn how to start your own with some help from our guides:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Not sure if you have a green thumb? Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/home-garden\/beginners-guide-to-gardening\/\">gardening tips for beginners<\/a>.<\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/indianapublicmedia.org\/news\/ue-study-illustrates-importance-of-urban-pollinators-native-plants-for-local-food.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Invite pollinators<\/a> to your property for a <a href=\"https:\/\/indianapublicmedia.org\/news\/ue-study-illustrates-importance-of-urban-pollinators-native-plants-for-local-food.php\">produce boost<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Turn your vegetable leftovers into a luscious garden with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/gardening-2\/what-is-scrap-gardening-and-how-to-start\/\">scrap gardening<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Love growing flowers? How about eating them? Try this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/gardening-2\/best-edible-garden-flowers\/\">4-course edible flower meal<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Live in an apartment? Fill your balcony with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/gardening-2\/container-gardening-guide\/\">container garden<\/a>, or design a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/landscaping\/vertical-gardening-ideas\/\">vertical garden<\/a>.<\/li>    <li>Treat yourself with the best gardening <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/reviews\/best-gardening-gloves\/\">gloves<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/reviews\/best-garden-shovels\/\">shovels<\/a>, and other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/reviews\/best-gardening-tools\/\">tools<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Discover the best cities for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/studies\/best-cities-urban-gardening\/\">urban gardening<\/a> and explore other, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/studies\/top-states-edible-insect-wildlife-cuisine\/\">less conventional local cuisines<\/a>.<\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/environment\/ulitmate-guide-to-green-living\/\">Explore our guide<\/a> to green food, sustainable landscaping, and other eco-friendly tips.&nbsp;<\/li>    <li>Get hands-on experience with your community garden, by lending your neighbor a hand, or working at a nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/wwoofusa.org\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">organic farm<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p><em>While you\u2019re busy cooking up a locavore storm, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/\"><em>hire a local LawnStarter pro<\/em><\/a><em> to keep your lawn looking as fresh as your local food.<\/em><\/p>   <p><a class=\"js-anchor\" id=\"media-resources\"><\/a><\/p>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Media Resources<\/h2>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-025a0642-1455-4b02-ae45-0f65d80bd7b1\" data-mobilecollapse=\"true\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-025a0642-1455-4b02-ae45-0f65d80bd7b1\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-025a0642-1455-4b02-ae45-0f65d80bd7b1\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Quotes from LawnStarter Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Herman<\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-025a0642-1455-4b02-ae45-0f65d80bd7b1\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>All 3 Maryland cities<\/strong> finish in the <strong>top 25<\/strong> of our ranking, boasting <strong>local <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ams.usda.gov\/blog-post\/grant-it-food-hubs-mean-more-local-food-you\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>food hubs<\/strong><\/a> and nearby farms with <strong>on-farm markets<\/strong>, <strong>pickup<\/strong>, and <strong>delivery services<\/strong>.<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Midwestern cities<\/strong> \u2014 <strong>Chicago<\/strong> (No. 8), <strong>Madison, Wisconsin<\/strong> (No. 14), and <strong>Minneapolis<\/strong> (No. 15) \u2014 stand out <strong>near the top<\/strong> with <strong>high access<\/strong> to <strong>local dairy farms<\/strong>, <strong>u-pick farms<\/strong>, and <strong>craft breweries<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/civileats.com\/2024\/08\/12\/farm-stops-create-new-markets-for-small-farms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Farm stops<\/a> are expanding the locavore movement in this region.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Cities across the country are adopting <a href=\"https:\/\/edibleschoolyard.org\/network\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">local food school programs<\/a>, like garden and kitchen classrooms and freshly harvested cafeteria lunches. <strong>334 cities<\/strong> in our ranking have <strong>at least one<\/strong> <strong>local food school program<\/strong> available. <strong>Portland <\/strong>(No. 1) has the most, with <strong>132 distinct programs <\/strong>across the city.<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>108 cities<\/strong> are members of <a href=\"https:\/\/slowfoodusa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Slow Food USA<\/strong><\/a>, while <strong>26 cities<\/strong> have <a href=\"https:\/\/buyfreshbuylocal.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Buy Fresh Buy Local<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>chapters. <strong>8 cities<\/strong> \u2014 like <strong>Chicago<\/strong> (No. 8) and <strong>Virginia cities Alexandria<\/strong> (No. 16) and <strong>Richmond<\/strong> (No. 57) \u2014 enjoy the fruits of both groups\u2019 advocacy efforts.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>While <strong>Lone Star State cities<\/strong> fall behind in <strong>Access<\/strong>, the Texas Triangle demonstrates <strong>high interest in local food<\/strong>, according to Google search results. <strong>Houston<\/strong> (No. 91 overall) claims the <strong>highest interest<\/strong> out of all 500 cities in our ranking.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Paterson, New Jersey<\/strong> (No. 31), has the <strong>most butcher shops per square mile<\/strong>, followed by <strong>New York<\/strong> (No. 2) and <strong>Somerville, Massachusetts<\/strong> (No. 10).<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>4 Ohio cities<\/strong> \u2014 <strong>Akron<\/strong> (No. 74), <strong>Parma<\/strong> (No. 188), <strong>Cleveland<\/strong> (No. 102), and <strong>Columbus<\/strong> (No. 75) \u2014 enjoy the <strong>highest access<\/strong> to <strong>on-farm markets<\/strong>. Akron boasts the most, <strong>91<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Some cities with among the <strong>highest shares of agricultural workers<\/strong> \u2014 like <strong>Bakersfield, California<\/strong> (No. 422), <strong>Yakima, Washington<\/strong> (No. 415), and <strong>Yuma, Arizona<\/strong> (No. 482) \u2014 score near the bottom with <strong>few farm stands<\/strong>, <strong>on-farm markets<\/strong>, and <strong>dairy farms<\/strong>.<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Some of the best cities for eating local food are also among the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/studies\/most-sustainable-cities\/\">most sustainable cities<\/a> in general.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p>Local farming has been a Herman family tradition. Grandpa Julius \u201cCotton\u201d Herman owned and operated Herman\u2019s Farm in Florissant, Missouri. Families came from all over for the fresh strawberries, pumpkins, corn, and blackberries. Uncle Johnny\u2019s farm, also in Florissant, had the apple trees, supplying area families with apples, apple cider, and hayrides in the fall.\u00a0<\/p>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1DAez0eoaXqlbpkyhL553MwV4C0eEHQeRndj6mexkXWs\/edit#gid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">High-resolution images of cities<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/infogram.com\/ranking-table-2023s-best-cities-to-eat-local-food-1h7z2l89yqjex6o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2023\u2019s Best Cities to Eat Local Food ranking results<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1Ip6e8g4vM4nPiAukkbgZQ7BziZaxpNEb3R7q4LZKgh4\/edit?gid=0#gid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2021\u2019s Best Cities for Locavores ranking results<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Main Photo Credit:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/search\/free?load_type=search&amp;is_recent_search=&amp;search_type=usertyped&amp;k=farmers+market&amp;native_visual_search=&amp;similar_content_id=&amp;asset_id=554786095\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DC Studio<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/license-terms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Where in America can locavores easily shop local for farm-fresh food? Discover 2024\u2019s Best Cities to Buy Local Food.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":100,"featured_media":119535,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[853],"tags":[1472],"class_list":["post-26413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-studies","tag-studies"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/AdobeStock_554786095-1.png?wsr","author_info":{"display_name":"Sav Maive","author_link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/author\/sav-maive\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>2024&#039;s Best Cities to Buy Local Food- LawnStarter Ranking<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Where in America can locavores easily shop local for farm-fresh food? 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