Local Food Cleveland

Buy Local Food


Farmers' Markets
Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs)
Retailers
Restaurants & Cafes
Caterers
As we grow more conscious of how local food benefits our personal health, our communities, our economy and our planet the demand for local food grows as well. The links above are a guide to local businesses, markets and farms that provide fresh, locally-grown foods. Much of this information was provided by the Countryside Harvest Guide, a great resource for finding farm-fresh, locally grown produce and delicious foods made right here in Northeast Ohio.

Are you a local business owner that sources local foods? Let us know and we'll add your business to the guide.


Why buy local food?


People: Planet: Profit:
  • It tastes better
  • It's better for us - access to fresh, locally grown foods reduces the risk of diet-related illness like diabetes and heart disease
  • It is safer and more trustworthy because we know where it came from
  • It connects us to our local landscape and builds a stronger sense of place
  • It strengthens relationships between urban and rural communities
  • It's insurance against the rising costs of fuel and food - increasing food security
  • It reduces greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and food packaging - about 19% of all fossil fuel consumption (one of every three trucks on the road) and as much as 37% of GHG emissions are due to the long-distance industrial food system.
  • It preserves rural farmland, promotes urban green space and protects natural biodiversity
  • It reduces stormwater in our cities, preventing water contamination and saving money for municipal utilities
  • It mitigates the heat island effect common in many urban areas
  • It strengthens the local economy - if we purchased only 10% of our food locally we could create a $350 million local food economy in Cleveland.
  • It keeps money in the local economy - a dollar spent at a farmers market stays in the local economy up to 2-3 times longer than a dollar spent at a national retailer
  • It supports small family farms and rural economies
  • It provides opportunities for green-collar jobs in industries like local food production, value-added processing and food waste composting

About Local Food Cleveland

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