Local Food is Essential
Origin Story
Join the Movement
Local Food is Essential is here to introduce you to the farmers and food makers who are behind our region’s vibrant local food scene and to give you tips and resources on how you can eat more local food!
We believe that local food is essential.
It is essential to our local economy, to the health of our communities
and to the environment.
“It’s important to help local farmers because they count on that income. Not all of us are tech-savvy to be able to adopt new online sales platforms, so shopping from small farmers at markets and through CSA’s is really important. Small farmers protect land from development and are good for the environment with sustainable farming practices.”
Mhonpaj Lee, Mhonpaj’s Garden
Giving Opportunity to local farmers so they can provide food security to your community
All of us have seen disruptions in the food supply chain due to COVID-19. Maybe this looks like eggs and meat not being available at the supermarket, your local farmers market shutting down or your favorite restaurant closing. While the complex national food supply chain has faltered, your local farmers have been working overtime to ensure a diverse food selection remains available. At the same time farmers are providing this essential service they are facing enormous economic instability as their traditional markets shift, and sometimes close altogether. Buying locally produced food keeps local farms strong so they can make sure you always have access to the food you need.
“We’re trying to serve the land and serve people by giving them the best nourishment to help their bodies and their whole selves. Support from the community is really, really important to us in practical ways but also in an emotional way. Farming is hard, but it makes a big difference to feel like our community believes in what we are doing and thinks it’s worthwhile.”
Elizabeth O’Sullivan, Auntie Annie’s Farm
Reducing your environmental impact
Local food has to travel fewer miles from the farm to your kitchen. This means you can reduce your environmental impact while getting the freshest food possible, through simply changing how you purchase food.
“Local food is good - good to support your community and your local farmers”
Moses Momanyi, Dawn2Dusk Farms
Investing in your local economy
Spending your money with local farmers means that money stays within your local economy - supporting other local businesses and jobs. This allows you to amplify the effects of your money, creating a more robust and resilient local economy.
“It’s important to help local farmers because they count on that income. Not all of us are tech-savvy to be able to adopt new online sales platforms, so shopping from small farmers at markets and through CSA’s is really important. Small farmers protect land from development and are good for the environment with sustainable farming practices.”
Mhonpaj Lee, Mhonpaj’s Garden
Giving Opportunity to local farmers so they can provide food security to your community
All of us have seen disruptions in the food supply chain due to COVID-19. Maybe this looks like eggs and meat not being available at the supermarket, your local farmers market shutting down or your favorite restaurant closing. While the complex national food supply chain has faltered, your local farmers have been working overtime to ensure a diverse food selection remains available. At the same time farmers are providing this essential service they are facing enormous economic instability as their traditional markets shift, and sometimes close altogether. Buying locally produced food keeps local farms strong so they can make sure you always have access to the food you need.
“We’re trying to serve the land and serve people by giving them the best nourishment to help their bodies and their whole selves. Support from the community is really, really important to us in practical ways but also in an emotional way. Farming is hard, but it makes a big difference to feel like our community believes in what we are doing and thinks it’s worthwhile.”
Elizabeth O’Sullivan, Auntie Annie’s Farm
Reducing your environmental impact
Local food has to travel fewer miles from the farm to your kitchen. This means you can reduce your environmental impact while getting the freshest food possible, through simply changing how you purchase food.
“Local food is good - good to support your community and your local farmers”
Moses Momanyi, Dawn2Dusk Farms
Investing in your local economy
Spending your money with local farmers means that money stays within your local economy - supporting other local businesses and jobs. This allows you to amplify the effects of your money, creating a more robust and resilient local economy.
Support Local
Strategy Day for Farmers and Food Makers
Many farmers and food makers struggle sustaining their businesses during the long, Midwest winters. Yet winter can also be an ideal and productive time for planning ahead, and we’d like to help.
In an effort to support the local foods community throughout the seasons, LFIE is excited to announce a new, free program: Strategy Day for Farmers and Food Makers.
This new endeavor (inspired by the Hands on Twin Cities’ Impact Day) will pair local professionals willing to volunteer their time and expertise with a local food farmer or food maker who has a specific challenge that can be tackled in a day.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We are very excited about this opportunity and cannot wait to support our local food community during this winter season!
*At this time, applications are only open to MN and WI farmers and food makers.
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