 |
 |
 |
An FDA study found pesticide residues in over 60 percent of fruit, 30 percent of vegetables, and 38 percent of grains tested.
–FDA, 2000
|
 |
|
|
| |
 - BFBL Chapters (Click here to learn more about BFBL Chapters)
- BFBL Gear (As the growing season kicks into gear, so will our BFBL
gear
to help you show your support!)
- From The Field (Check out the latest news from our BFBL Chapters)
- Tools (FRN wants to help you connect with a local chapter or start your
own local chapter - check out tools to help get you started)
About Buy Fresh Buy Local
 FoodRoutes Network is a non-profit organization based in Pennsylvania that provides communications tools, organizing support, and marketing resources to our grassroots chapters throughout the US that are working to rebuild local food systems and promote sustainable agriculture. Buy Fresh Buy Local chapters are connecting consumers in communities throughout the country to the freshest, most delicious locally grown and produced foods available. Through outreach events, local food guides, and educational materials, Buy Fresh, Buy Local makes it easy for consumers to find and connect with local food from farmers they can know and trust.
FoodRoutes Network of Regional Chapter Affiliates and Local Volunteer Chapters work within the community at the state and local levels to involve more consumers in the revitalization of our local food systems. From farmers' markets, restaurants, grocery stores, co-ops, and community supported farms to large scale institutions - such as colleges and retirement homes - Buy Fresh, Buy Local Chapters are bringing back the base for locally grown food in communities across the US.
FoodRoutes Network
FoodRoutes Network has always been dedicated to revitalizing local food systems by involving consumers in the process. Today FoodRoutes work is evolving, and our commitment to people and community deepening. More and more individuals are taking an active roll in protecting the future of our food. Our Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapters are expanding and providing for a national network of people who care about where their food comes from and how it is produced.
Making a Difference
- A Maine study indicates that shifting just 1% of consumer expenditures
to direct purchasing of local food products could increase farmers' income
in that state by as much as 5%. Source: Economic Impact of Maine Food
System and Farm Vitality Policy Implications. A Report to the Joint Standing
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Second Regular Session
of the 120th Maine Legislature. Jesse Gandee, Nov. 2002.
- Kansas City's BFBL Chapter Affiliate has tracked significant increases in local food sales from their first year of involvement in the program from $2.5 million to $7.5 in 2006.
- In Northeast Iowa, the BFBL group has help double local food purchases among twenty-three institutional buyers, including hospitals, retirement homes, restaurants, grocers, and colleges. Together, these institutions spent approximately $465,000 on locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy and baked goods with dollars that otherwise might not have been invested locally.
- FoodRoutes is dedicated to helping new farmers enter the world of local foods. We give particular focus to assisting minority, women, limited resource, socially disadvantaged and/or other traditionally underserved farmers and ranchers through our BFBL program.
What Can You Do?
Take the Buy Local Challenge! Now you can show your support for local food and farms by signing on to FoodRoutes' "Buy Local" Challenge. Everyone who signs up in 2007 will also be entered in our drawing for a free a gift box from our favorite hometown local food retailer and CSA farm: Tait Farm Foods as well as the newest CD "Room To Grow" from FoodRoutes partner, Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, Adrienne Young.
Take the Buy Local Challenge by pledging to spend just $10/week or more on local food and make a difference in your community!
Spread the word: Encourage the markets and restaurants you frequent to purchase more of their products directly from local farmers. Find ways for your school or college to do that same!Contact FoodRoutes to find out whether a Buy Fresh, Buy Local Chapter is in your community or if you can help get one started in your local area. We want to help you get involved, just contact us at FoodRoutes Network www.foodroutes.org 570-638-3608 or at info@foodroutes.org Economic Impact of Maine Food System and Farm Vitality Policy Implications. A Report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Second Regular Session of the 120th Maine Legislature. Jesse Gandee, Nov. 2002.
|
