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There is a growing trend, across the country and here in Connecticut, toward buying locally produced food from small, environmentally friendly farms. This locally sourced food is often less processed and packaged, less subject to pesticides and growth hormones, and travels shorter distances as compared to its factory farmed counterparts. Local food can be found in small specialty and farmers’ markets, farm stands, and occasionally at larger and more mainstream grocery stores. It can be grown in community gardens.
The local food movement coincides with another feature of Connecticut’s food landscape: food insecurity. While farmers’ markets are brimming with fresh fruits and vegetables, and specialty markets sell local milk and sausage, families in New Haven and surrounding communities are struggling to meet their food needs within the parameters of their budgets, neighborhood resources, and transportation constraints.
Is there a way to bring together local food and local needs? Their integration could benefit small farmers and the environment while enhancing the health and nutrition of individuals and families, perhaps the community as a whole. National and local organizations have begun to see the potential for local food growers to respond to needs of urban and low income individuals, while also discovering the challenges.
Learn More: read the complete Issue Brief