The Strolling of the Heifers has put together its second annual Locavore index rates the 50 states and the District of Columbia on how strong their local food systems are, and Vermont has once again come out on top. The index uses census and U.S. Department of Agriculture data, along with a per capita comparison of farmers’ markets, consumer supported agriculture operations (CSAs) and food hubs in ranking the states.
The Vermont-based local food advocacy group’s index incorporates farmers markets, consumer-supported agriculture operations (CSAs) and food hubs in its per-capita comparison of consumers’ interest in eating locally-sourced foods — also known as locavorism.
This year, Utah ranked 44th, after being ranked 37th the previous year. Population rose by over 70,000, but gained only one farmers market. But the largest difference was that the cooperative agreement between farmers and consumers dropped from 110 in 2011 to only 37 in 2012.
Local foods are more sustainable, healthier, better for the environment and economically positive than foods sourced from large-scale, globalized food systems. Local foods use less fuel through transportation, is typically fresher and healthier due to less time in transit, losing fewer nutrients and less spoilage. They also build local economies by circulating food dollars locally and creating local jobs through farms, processing and distribution systems. Strolling of the Heifers
