What is Local Food?

Local food is the production, process, distribution and consumption of food within a specific region, usually 100 miles from farm to fork. A focus on local food is essential for a sustainable economy in Cleveland because of its environmental benefits and because it is an economic driver. 

Why is it Important?

Local Food: 

• Creates Jobs
• Grows Community Health and Wealth
• Crosses cultural and Class Barriers
• Grows Communities, 
• Produces Healthier Families
• Encourages Healthier Living
• Supports Local Businesses
• Improves Relationships

Get Involved!

BUSINESSES CAN  . . . 

• Buy local through food service procurement
• Sponsor a community garden in their neighborhood through financial support or community service days
• Sponsor a farmers market in their neighborhood through financial support or volunteering
• Promote benefits of local food internally within their company
• Offer Community Support Agriculture (CSA) drop-off locations at their worksite for their employees
• Identify any benefits or incentives that company’s HR/Healthcare Insurance provide to support the purchase of healthy, local food
• Provide vouchers for employees to purchase local food at farmers’ markets
• Commitment/Pledge to purchase more food locally- Share list at Summit

RESIDENTS/CONSUMERS CAN  . . . 

• Buy local by supporting farmers’ markets and restaurants that serve local food - Growhio is developing a restaurant certification program
• Join a community garden in your neighborhood
• Learn about the benefits of local
• Share local food with neighbors – recipes, potlucks, garden tips, food preservation meet-ups, canning parties
• Commit to buying 25% of your foods locally this summer
• Donate fresh produce to local food pantries and soup kitchens
• Visit a farmers’ market twice a month all season
• Start a compost pile

SCHOOLS CAN  . . . 

• Purchase local food for use in school breakfast and lunch
• Start a school garden
• Host a local food day once a month
• Incorporate gardening and/or food once a month
• Start a cooking or gardening club
• Share local food, resources, and ideas at parent’s nights/PTA meetings  at school
• Create a coloring book/comic book
• Develop farmers’ market coupons for families
• Find a farm-to-school or school gardening mentor
• Offer the Veggie U curriculum to elementary students
• Organize a fieldtrip to a local farm, community garden or farmers’ market
• Invite a local farmer or chef to present to the class
• Compost in the cafeteria

GOVERNMENT CAN  . . . 

• Create Local food procurement policy for food service providers
• Offer a CSA for employees
• Educate and promote local food to employees
• Celebrate local food champions and success stories in their community
• Adopt policies that support gardening, local procurement, composting
• Offer grants and low-interest loans for food businesses
• Develop supply-chain relationships between producers and food processors and food businesses
• Promote local food to residents through existing mailings (i.e CPP bills, ODJFS mailings)    

SOCIAL SERVICE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS CAN  . . . 

• Connect soup kitchens and food pantries with community gardens and farmers’ markets
• Promote the EBT Incentive Program, community gardens, and CSA’s in their service areas (Develop neighborhood guides)
• Start a community garden
• Start a social enterprise local food business to provide income and economic opportunities for their clients
• Support urban agriculture projects through land assembly and connection to resources
• Promote year of local food and events through newsletters and communications