Of the approximately one billion dollars Sarasota County residents spend every year on food, the vast majority is spent on food shipped in from outside our community.
However, a 2006 study showed that if we would all commit to buying just 10% of our food directly from local farmers, this would generate at least $80 million in additional farm income annually. In these tough economic times, a mere 10% shift in our purchasing habits could create thousands of new jobs and greatly stimulate our local economy.
This is why Transition Sarasota has created the 10% Local Food Shift Pledge. We are asking everyone in our community to pledge to grow or buy at least 10% of their food locally – and then follow through. If you’re not sure where to start, you can locate an abundance of local food producers and suppliers through our Eat Local Directory.
If you’re already at 10%, take this pledge as an opportunity to increase your local food consumption by another 10% or more. In doing so, you will not only be investing in your health and the health your family, you will also be fostering a healthier local economy and planet at the same time.
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