The local food movement is about building community resilience just as much as it is about enjoying the tastiest food from local farms. At our recent Love Local event, community members and farmers gathered to shine a light on local agriculture and celebrate the tremendous value of locally grown food. Watch the full 2026 Love Local: Meet Your Farmer Event including film and farmer panel here.
The core takeaway from the event was clear: our local farmers are an irreplaceable community asset. They work tirelessly to cultivate nourishing foods for all of us, stewarding the land and thinking about how to leave something positive and life-sustaining for future generations. However, farmers cannot sustain the local food supply alone. Building a resilient regional food system requires ongoing commitment and active participation from the entire community.
5 Practical Ways to Invest in a Thriving Local Food Economy
Supporting local agriculture goes far beyond attending a single event. Here is how everyone can help strengthen the flow of local food on an ongoing basis:
Source Directly and Shop Local: Purchase directly from farm stands, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and markets that help local farmers get their products out there. Checking out Sweet Beet Market is a good place to start!
Prioritize Local Ingredients at Home: Shift everyday cooking habits toward seasonal, locally grown ingredients to increase demand - we know everyone is busy so this doesn’t have to be all or nothing!
Invest in the Next Generation: Advocate for mentorship, land access, and resources to help new and beginning farmers get established.
Advocate for Farm-Friendly Policy: Stay informed on local and national legislation that supports sustainable agriculture and farm viability.
Spread the Word: Keep the conversation going with friends, family, and neighbors to raise community awareness around food sovereignty.
Take Action: Watch & Share Growing Food, Growing Community
If you want to dive deeper into these critical issues, take time to watch and share the film Growing Food, Growing Community. Raising public awareness about the realities of farming is one of the most effective ways to drive meaningful support for our food producers.
A huge thank you to panelist speakers Sophie, Noah, Jenny, Ray, and Luke for sharing their insight and experiences during our lively discussion, and to everyone who tuned in to participate! Connect with our featured farms to stay informed about how to support them and enjoy the most delicious foods that they produce all year long: Alprilla Farm, Edgewater Farm, Brookford Farm
How do you integrate local food into your routine? Let us know in the comments below!