THE ECONOMIC, COMMUNITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF SUPPORTING LOCAL
Economic Benefits
- The multiplier effect puts money spent locally back in your pocket
- $10 billion in unmet local demand in the state of Illinois could increase economic activity within the state
- Job Creation from seasonal production to management with additional farm labor needed for manual harvesting
- Increases Farmer income as growers benefit from the significantly higher market value of fresh market crops
Community Benefits
- Fresher than store-bought food shipped from out of state and region
- Learn more information about who produces the product
- Local eating builds relationships between farmers and consumers
- Information available on health benefits of eating whole foods
- Improved health and food access to address obesity, hypertension and many other diet-related health issues and diseases that are increasing health care costs
Environmental Benefits
- Foods in season and locally grown require less energy to store the product
- Less greenhouse gas emissions because locally grown goods do not need to be transported across the country
- Less pollutants and waste from the overcrowded factory farms that lead to water and air pollution and contain unsanitary, overcrowded conditions