Research indicates a growing trend in consumers' preference for local foods
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and, by association, sustainable growing practices. Experts in fields spanning academic
sociology to business say different definitions for local and sustainability exist in the minds of consumers, but changes observed in restaurants and farmers'
markets alike suggest a shifting paradigm rather than a fad, as business follows demand
for the concept en gros. Surveys suggest consumers associate the term local with a
number of positive attributes, ranging from food that is more nutritious to more supportive
of their community's economy.
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Sociologically, some individuals suggest that simply the idea of local foods and
sustainable farming practices helps to bridge demographics otherwise isolated from
one another.
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References
- Effect of distance of transportation on willingness to pay for food.Ecological Econ. 2013; 88: 67-75
- Foodies: Democracy and Distinction in the Gourmet Foodscape.Routledge, New York, NY2009
- News and research: What's hot in 2013.(Accessed February 28, 2013)
- Local food systems: Concepts, impacts, and issues.(Economic Research Service website. May 2010) (Published May 2010. Accessed February 28, 2013)
- Industry experts forecast 2012 trends.(Technomic website) (Accessed February 26, 2013)
- Remaking the North American Food System: Strategies for Sustainability.University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NE2009
- Regional food hubs: Linking producers to new markets: Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF2).(Accessed March 29, 2013)
- Organic certification.(Accessed March 19, 2013)
- Farmers markets and local food marketing.(Modified August 3, 2012. Accessed January 2, 2013)
- Silver Diner finds gold in ‘fresh and local'.(Washington Business Journal website) (Published May 27, 2011. Accessed March 19, 2013)
- The role of food hubs in local food marketing.(USDA Rural Development website) (Published January 2013. Accessed April 8, 2013)
Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 21, 2013
Footnotes
This article was written by Brian Boyce, an award-winning freelance writer in Terra Haute, IN.
Available online 21 May 2013
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
