Eat and Buy Locally and Support Your Local Economy
When we buy local food and other local products the positive impact of our locally spent dollars is up to four (4) times as great as it would be if we purchased items in a Big Box store that were made thousands of miles away. This is according to a recent report by the Urban Conservancy that studied the redevelopment of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. Here is an article that describes that study and contains a link to the study itself. The State of Illinois has taken steps to grow its economy by supporting local foods by adopting HB3990: The Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act that was signed by Governor Quinn this fall. Illinois imports 95% of the $48 Billion we spend on food each year. Can you imagine what a benefit it would be to our state and local economies if we shifted some of that spending to locally grown foods? Below the level of state governments, local communities and counties across the United States are beginning to realize the advantages that a stronger local food system can provide and the economic benefits are now being documented. The University of Illinois Extension Office just published an article entitled, “Economic Analysis of an Ohio County Offers Blueprint for Nation” that was written by researchers at Ohio State University that found local foods to be an important segment of a strong local economy. The University of Illinois Extension article and a further link to the Ohio State University study itself are available here. You might ask, “what is the problem that this law and academic studies like this are trying to fix?” My answer is that people want a more free and open market for locally produced food and state and local governments are beginning to look for ways to meet that demand because, as the reports cited above suggest, it makes economic sense to buy local food and other products.Illlinois has some of the richest soil and most developed food industries in the country and yet we continue to be dependent on other areas for our food. To explore ways to redirect the flow of food dollars towards local farms and businesses, counties and cities in Illinois are studying food policy . Brown and Adams Counties have joined with University of Illinois Extension to form the Tri State Local Food Policy Council in Quincy, IL. The Springfield Local Food Task Force met for the first time in July, 2009, and Knox County is exploring formation of a food policy council according to a WIUM interview with Knox County Development and Communications Director Gary Tomlin. I have not heard any news that the McDonough County Board is interested in such an initiative but FIG will continue to advocate for a better food system from the grassroots. Buy local this holiday season and urge your McDonough County Board representative and Macomb alderman to support our local food system.
