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How 'locavore' is your state? [infographic]

The Strolling of the Heifers has released its annual Locavore Index. Where does your state rank, and could it be even higher because of your local sales?

Christine Kapperman, Senior Content Director

April 8, 2015

1 Min Read
How 'locavore' is your state? [infographic]

Just how much do your state's residents support local food? Strolling of the Heifers offers this look in its annual Locavore Index.

As in the past, smaller, diverse farms of New England pushed their home states to the top of the list compiled by the Vermont-based local food advocacy group.

The good news: It appears local is growing and likely larger than represented in this report. The data used doesn't include a complete representation of farm sales to retail, something Strolling the Heifers hopes the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state agriculture departments will better track in the future.

"What the Index really reflects is the fact that the various policies at the national and state levels that encourage local food programs are having measurable results," Orly Munzing, founder and executive director of Strolling of the Heifers, said in a statement. "At the federal level, there's the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food program which helps promote farmers markets and provides grants for farm-to-school and farm-to-institution programs. Many states also have active programs to encourage local food consumption, and Vermont's Farm-to-Plate network is a national leader in this respect. All these programs are good for farmers, good for consumers and they help to build stronger communities."

About the Author

Christine Kapperman

Senior Content Director, New Hope Network

As the senior content director at New Hope Network, Christine Kapperman combines her 20-year journalism background with her passion for business to cover the natural products industry for newhope.com and Natural Foods Merchandiser magazine. She also led content at worldteanews.com. She loves tracking (and tasting) trends as she shares what’s next to show up in cups, plates and in pantries across the United States.

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