Local and Regional Food Systems

Local food is food that is grown within a reasonable distance from where it is eaten. Exactly how local food is defined is as varied as the consumers that buy it. The commonality amongst local food consumers is a commitment to purchase food that ensures social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Buying local food reduces the number of "food miles" between farm and plate, and helps to keep agricultural profits in the local economy. This website offers resources and tools for understanding the place of local food in the global food system, how producers can participate in this movement, and examples of successful local food systems that secure fresh foods for their communities.

Videos   Connecting with Institutional Markets: Strategies and Programs for Producers   Urban Farms: Commercial Farms or Socially Minded Operations?   Managing Risks on an Urban Farm   The Montana Harvest of the Month Program   Organic Weed Removal Technique   Farm to Hospital in the Rio Grande Valley: Getting Ready   Food Safety for Organic Growers in Texas   Selling to Institutional Markets: Strategies and Considerations for Montana Producers   Park County Food System Council   Producers’ Panel: Partnering with Hospitals to Diversify your Market   Farm to Healthcare Conference: Buyers' Panel   Sustainable Hospital Food Service: Farm to Healthcare Conference Keynote   Food Safety Regulations for Local Farmers   Selling Local Food to Schools: USDA Regulations   Montana Beef to School   Healthy Farms, Healthy People: Keynote by Mark Branovan of St. Luke’s Hospital   Healthy Farms, Healthy People: Keynote by Dave Prather of Western Montana Growers Cooperative   Local Food Systems 101   From the Farm to the Farmers' Market

Food Hubs

Why Local Foods?

Urban Agriculture

Local Marketing, Processing, and Distribution

Beginning Farmer

Policy and Food Access

Resources on Local Foods

Local Foods Directory A number of organizations and agencies throughout the U.S. are trying to help agricultural producers connect with customers by compiling directories of local food sources that help buyers find goods and growers find markets. This resource offers listings for local food directories and promotional programs, searchable by state.

GrowMontana A broad-based coalition whose common purpose is to promote community economic development policies that support sustainable Montana-owned food production, processing, and distribution, and that improve all of our citizens' access to Montana foods.

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This page was last updated on: March 7, 2017

ATTRA - A National Sustainable Agriculture Assistance Program - is developed and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). Visit the NCAT website for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects.

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