Local Food Movement

A local food movement is growing in this country as people seeking self reliance realize how healthy and delicious locally produced food can be.  As an added plus, learning to produce food and other products locally could also someday mean our very survival.

As I hope you know, my focus is never on fear but on joyful self-reliance, and part of that joy is getting to know and work with local producers. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing where your food came from. That being said, it's still always a good idea to develop local networks should a catastrophe - such as an economic collapse or an EMP strike - occur. 

Better still, why not join the local food movement by producing your own goods? Whether it's fresh eggs, chicken meat, goat milk, or meat, or produce such as locally grown peaches, you can improve the local food chain and earn income. 

You'll also improve the health of not only the members of your own family but also that of others in your community. Far too often, we are consuming food that isn't good for us - fast food and highly processed foods that are detrimental to our health. We would all be so much better off if we learned to live simply and eat basic, unprocessed foods. And you can often find those locally.

A local food movement is going on, as people realize the need for healthy, locally produced food.

Why We Need to Start Producing

Being a nation of nonproducers weakens our economy. We have turned into a consumer nation, importing virtually everything we use and enjoy, from the clothes on our backs to the food we eat.

But Peter D. Schiff, author of the book Crash Proof 2.0: How to Profit From the Economic Collapse, warns that we can't remain a consumer nation forever.

Our nation has accumulated trillions of dollars worth of debt, and our creditors are other nations that are producing items we are consuming by taking out loans we cannot pay back.

Eventually, these nations will realize they can never get their money back and stop loaning money to us. When that happens, we will no longer be able to purchase the items we need with all that money our government keeps printing out.

The shelves in grocery stores will no longer be stocked with food, clothing, shoes, and other things we may need. And because we are no longer a nation that produces most of the goods we consume, most people won't have the skills they need to make the items they need.

That's why it's so important to learn how to produce your own food, even if it's in a limited way. And that's where the local food movement comes in.

Homesteading Skills and
 the
Local Food Movement

So what does that mean for those of us with a heart for homesteading and living off the land?  Fortunately, those who read this have already taken a step in the right direction: learning how to garden, keeping a few chickens and even pursuing skills such as beekeeping, and having a goat or milk cow for your own fresh milk and cheese.

But once you get these basics down, you'll do well if you learn to produce other items as well, practical goods that will be valuable to those in your area. Learn to make jams, butter and cheese. Learn woodworking skills and other trades that will enable you to make what you need.

By learning these useful skills now, you can help turn this country back into a nation of producers, a change for the better not only for this country, but also for the rest of the world.

Related article:  How to grow a self-reliant garden.

How To Find Local Producers

Search online for local food producers. Look for co-ops in your area. Contact your local county extension office. Staff there often compile lists of local food hubs, farmers' markets, and other cooperative networks.

Also check with your local feed mills. They sell the grain to local farmers, and they might have a good idea of who the farmers are who sell local food or how you can find them. At our local grain mill, local producers often put up flyers selling their locally produced beef, eggs, and other goods. 

And finally, check with your local 4-H program. People there are in contact with local farmers all the time and should know about local food producers.

Learn More About Self Sufficient Living

Learn More About Being Prepared

Return from Local Food Movement to the Home Page

About the Author

My name is Sue Merriam, and I began the journey of self-reliant living more than three decades ago, which enabled me to stay home with my children. Fifteen years ago, I founded Joyful Homesteading to help others save money and face the future without fear. My goal is to give you practical, honest advice so you can save money and experience the joy of simple living. I hope you join me.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.