That Bag of 'Local' Greens? It Might Have Flown 5,000 Miles.
That bag of 'local' greens from the farmers market might have a surprising origin. We explore the global supply chain behind what 'local' food really means.
By Foodie Pundit Newsroom - Published - Updated - Section: Chain Watch
Key points
- The 'local' food label is largely unregulated, allowing globally sourced produce to be repackaged and sold at farmers markets.
- A complex 'cold chain' logistics network can transport produce thousands of miles while maintaining an appearance of freshness.
- So-called 'resellers' purchase produce from wholesale terminals and sell it at a markup under a local farm brand.
- Consumers should ask specific questions about farm location and seasonality to verify the authenticity of "local" claims.
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Sources and methodology
Reported from the public datasets below.
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