All people should be able to eat fresh and healthy food. And, at a time of economic uncertainty and global unrest, supporting the local economy by buying local produce and goods makes sense on many levels. Unfortunately, fresh local produce is often more expensive than alternatives and is not available to the entire community.
For some of us, we face a combination of barriers to buying fresh, local food, including cultural identity.[i], social norms, geographic location, access to transportation, limited time, and more. The biggest barrier, however, is the amount of money in our wallets or household budgets compared to the cost[ii]. In rare cases, local products cost the same or less than their “imported” counterparts. Unfortunately, in most cases, buying from local producers is much more expensive than buying food from the supermarket chain or, even worse, from the fast food restaurant chain.
As the “buy local” and “locavore” movements expand, we are seeing an increase in farmers markets/retail markets in US cities (Smirl, 2011) To encourage greater participation of low-income people, many markets have now incorporated the acceptance of SNAP benefits (visit the USDA website for more information). Additionally, recent changes to the federal EBT program allow for the purchase of vegetable and fruit seeds to encourage people to grow their own food. And while these are laudable steps in the right direction, more creative local solutions must be found.
Another way local farmers are working to make produce more accessible is community supported agriculture (CSA), where consumers buy “lots” of produce at the beginning of a growing season and receive weekly deliveries of vegetables. and fruits for the next few months. A significant drawback for the low-income family is the large initial cost of the action. At least one CSA has developed a “subsidy” model that uses a portion of full-price shares to subscribe for low-income shares, although a very limited number of these low-income shares are available each season.
One answer to making local produce more affordable is the produce market, but not just any produce market: a new model for sustainable, inclusive and fair local business. To address the various barriers outlined above, the market must be culturally inclusive, both through the products it sells and the aesthetics of the market, as well as be located within the communities it strives to serve. To help keep costs down, the market would take advantage of local farmers’ “seconds” (less aesthetically appealing but viable fruits and vegetables), as well as surplus produce from community gardens and backyards. surrounding neighborhoods. The market will also grow its own produce with very little overhead by contracting with vacant lot owners in the surrounding community to grow food on their land. And, similar to Pilot Mount Pride, the market will act as a clearinghouse for local (especially urban) farms, allowing farmers to eliminate the cost of direct marketing and advertising while focusing their time and energy on growing. More Products. Although federal subsidies are not the ultimate answer, there is potential to increase the value of SNAP/EBT benefits by counting each EBT dollar as $1.5. Since labor is typically the highest cost of doing business, the market would offer a labor trading system that counts hours offered as market dollars.
Creative responses to the problem of access and affordability when it comes to local products are limited only by our imagination and will. As we continue in uncertain global economies, a larger portion of the population is facing tough economic times and is now classified as low income. As more people are able to keep their dollars circulating in their own communities by buying local products, these communities become more economically and socially resilient.
[i] james d Factors Influencing Food Choices, Dietary Intake, and Nutrition-Related Attitudes Among African Americans: Application of a Culturally Sensitive Model.Ethnicity and Health [serial online]. 2004 Nov;9(4):349-367. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA
[ii] The availability and cost of healthier food alternatives Original Research Article American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 30, Number 1, January 2006, Pages 38-44. Karen M. Jetter, Diana L. Cassady
