Why Buy Local?

Every time you purchase food, you make a choice that’s more important than just what’s for dinner. When you buy local food, you:

Help keep farmers on the land, keep the local economy strong, and preserve our agricultural heritage.
When purchasing directly from farmers, you have the chance to talk about the methods they use and the care they take to grow your food. By eliminating the middleman, more of your food dollars stay in the local economy, helping to keep these small farmers on the land and preserving the look of our rural landscape.

Help the environment.
Today, food travels an average of 1,500 miles from field to plate. When you buy local, fewer fossil fuels are burned to transport your food across the country or between continents and less packaging is needed. Supporting those who use sustainable farming practices also means that the land is treated in environmentally sensitive ways, which prevents soil erosion and protects the quality of our water.

Get to taste delicious food.
Buying local means you can enjoy eating with the seasons, preparing meals that showcase what’s farm fresh and harvested at its peak that same day.

When you consider how this is all connected, you realize that your food choices really do make a difference. Your decision to buy local food helps create a stronger, more sustainable regional food system. Oh—and you get to eat more nutritious and better-tasting food for dinner, too!


How do I support a local food system in Indianapolis?

Learn more about food systems and find out how Indianapolis is doing. How are you contributing to Indianapolis' food system? Join us and help us spread the word of local by volunteering or tell us your local food story at our blog!

Otherwise, consult the the Indianapolis Local Food Guide, Eat Well Guide Web site, Local Harvest for a list of grocers, farmers, and venders who sell locally produced foods. You can also check out our 10 Simple Steps.