Definition
While the definition continues to change because consumers are becoming more aware, generally the definition of locally produced foods are grown or produced within a 250 mile radius of an event venue.
Benefits
- Foods that are minimally processed, in season, and locally grown are generally climate-friendly, requiring less energy to store and transport.
- Food imported from out of the region is not as fresh, having traveled and sat in distribution centers before it gets to your event.
- Local foods tend to be safer because you can verify the supply chain.
- Purchasing local foods for your event can also make them more accessible to all the people within the community.
- Resources spent with local farmers and growers stays close to the event’s location, helping to support local economies by connecting food producers and food consumers in the same geographic region.
- Often times minority owned farms tend to be smaller. By partnering with these resources it supports BIPOC/minority owned farms that are in the community.
Key Questions
- Where are menu items sourced or produced?
- Are they grown or produced within a 250 mile radius of your event location?
- If not, can alternative menu items be sourced?
- Can you tell us about the farmer or the supply chain that the provided the food?
- Are they produced sustainably?
Food Facts
The money that is spent with local farmers and growers stays close to your event’s location, improving the local economy.
