Eat Local: Why it Matters Brenda Sutton Pick TN Conference February 12, 2016

“Local food is the last great value America seems to have in common” (Maisie Ganzler, Bon Appetit)

The question continues: What is “Local”? Answers usually involve: Miles, Relationships, Values

Why Support Local? Fresher food Flavorful local food varieties Tasty seasonal foods Know Your Farmer Farmers market social interactions Keep community farms active Support growing methods

Why Support Local? Support community economics Eat healthier—less processed foods Safer food perceptions Less waste Promote tourism/agritourism Keep dollars local Increase national food security

Why Support Local? Adds value to businesses (restaurants, institutions, etc) Encourages environmentally friendly farming practices Community pride

Research by Mintel

Who are “local marketers”? “Local marketers have a challenge to simultaneously position local involvement as conducive to community and personal gain. While helping the local and wider economy and supporting patriotic sentiments are leading drivers of living local, participation in the local market are unlikely to be completely selfless. Whether focused on bettering their health or standing out among their peers, Americans who buy and act local are looking for some amount of self-improvement. Those who can meet both their personal and altruistic goals through community activism are likely to give it more value, and as such be willing to pay more of the associated costs.” – Gretchen Grabowski, Travel & Leisure Analyst

How Does this Help us?? Providing volunteer opportunities to the community will engage your potential customers and create “ownership”!

Volunteer Opportunities Farmers Market Photography give reports and photos of local products at Appalachian Grown farmers markets. Take weekly notes and photos at local markets and help report what’s fresh and in season

Volunteer Opportunities “ If you are you a quilter, costume maker, woodworker, potter, painter, or puppeteer, we would love to apply your skills towards creating aesthetic and functional materials for engaging the public around food and farms. We have lots of crafty wish list items including paper weights for events tabling, produce/farmer costumes, head in the hole cutouts, table runners, games, and more.”

Volunteer Opportunities Help distributing Market posters during the months leading up to the Market opening for the Summer, Harvest and Winter Markets Are you on Facebook or Instagram? Follow us and help us spread the word via Social Media!

Volunteer Opportunities SNAP (food stamp) program volunteer staff to assist patrons by explaining how the program works and helping process transactions for tokens used to make purchases at the Market.

SetUP/BreakDown Volunteers Sponsor booth setup, Info Booth setup, vendor assistance, signage placement, Market "cafe" seating arrangements, music stage setup.

Volunteer Opportunities Waste Wise Station Monitors oversee waste stations to ensure that Market customers and vendors properly sort their waste and recycleables Petsitting services

Volunteer Opportunities Farm to FoodBank Programs

Chef Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities Require ORGANIZATION Volunteer Coordinators Volunteer Policies/Guidelines Consider Service Organizations as Volunteers

Studies show that locavores... Value community pride Attend local events that offer opportunities for socialization Show increasing patriotism that is reflected in buying choices Generally are more health and environmentally conscious WANT TO BE INVOLVED!

Social Media Importance Mobile friendly websites Facebook Twitter Activity

Use Technology for Multiple Payment Options

LOCAL MARKETS BLOOMING!! RECAP Engage the Community Be Constantly Present in Social Networking Meet the Consumers Payment Option Needs

Remember: “Local food is the last great value America seems to have in common” (Maisie Ganzler, Bon Appetit)

Brenda Sutton Fogwood Food, LLC