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I would ask why the local farmer was squeezed out of the supply base to the big stores? If they were not selling to someone, they would not exist right? They would have no money to exist as a farm. A lot of times when these sorts of rumors get started, the people don't quite understand the facts.

I am in the grocery biz here in MI. And there is an awful lot of local suppliers to the chains and smaller niche markets. I'd say half of anything fresh comes from local suppliers. It's probably more. It's then branded the way the store wants it. And that I know for a FACT. And you have to also break down "local". The farm next to your home, or regionally speaking. Beef, produce, ect.

The farmer is hurting because the entire supply change to the supermarket is hurting. Demand is down. People are eating less. THAT IS FACT. Per buggy count is down, per buggy dollars is way down. Generics as a proportion of count in buggy is way up. People are conserving and buying the cheapest.

We buy as much local as possible, farm market, in season. Our meat is all bought in bulk right from the farm. That's the only way to go!

Originally Posted by amd

I'm all for local food but that's just too restrictive; I wish people would make reasonable concrete changes instead of going along with the hype.

The 100 mile challenge reminds me of the pathetic anti-refrigeration movement.

Not on a high horse here just a little thing the community started to help the local farmers etc. Instead of going to Safeway we go to the farmers market etc. i am not some tree hugging granola eating hippy. Support the local businesses as much as possible nothing more nothing less. if I need something outside of what they have I will buy it. To Mrs. Reb we have a great brewery 15 mins away. Okanagan Springs. A little bit more expensive very good.

Originally Posted by mrs reb77

What about condiments, spices and such? And, of course, beer?

Be okay here. I got about 10 breweries within a 100 miles

Food is easy as well, we live near a large product producing area called the Holland Marsh, similar to the Okanogan, but smaller. Potatoes are grown in Alliston and meat is everywhere here.

'Bout the best we can do here is go to the farmer's markets,and buy what is available.
There is a local meat locker that sells retail,so that helps.Much better quality of meat too.But I miss the red dyes.....

I'm all for local food but that's just too restrictive; I wish people would make reasonable concrete changes instead of going along with the hype.

The 100 mile challenge reminds me of the pathetic anti-refrigeration movement.

What about condiments, spices and such? And, of course, beer?

100 Mile challenge

My wife is partaking in a 100 mile challenge. Its a simple concept really all your food needs to be grown or made within a 100 miles. I live in a small farming community so its pretty easy for us. Local businesses arecsuffering around here so its a good idea to me. Anybody else doing something similar. We have always been like that but we would go to the grocery store pretty regular.