I work for a food processing company (supply large restaurant chains with ready-cooked meat products, soups, chili, etc.) so this challenge caught my eye. I support these restaurants because I know our food is wholesome and safe.
My county has area farmers who have formed a consortium to supply chefs in large cities nearby with fresh produce. They also tailgate their produce at the mall on Saturdays.
In addition, we have a farmers market, fresh molasses and honey processors, cattle farmers, meat processors, and others. My challenge is to use the local bounty more.

I now purchase my veggies, fruit, and baked good from local sources, farmer’s market’s, etc. I always ask if the produce is locally grown as it isn’t always. Additionally, I make all my own jams, jellies, conserves, whole veggies and fruit, sauces, etc. I know exactly what is in my food and they make great gifts for special occasions. I also grow a small organic garden for fun and for the produce.

blackberry jam made in state! yum

Even the farmers market has produce shipped in from other states! I’ve learned to ask where it comes from and have started conversations with some very interesting people. I love buying local produce, flower starts, etc..

we live in a small rural community and the only thing i could find that was produced and marketed locally was honey and we have been buying it for years since local honey is made from local flowers it is supposed to help with allergies and i think it does.