Eat Local Resources
General Resources for Local Food
Note: With limited space, this list only includes websites. Search engines are useful but some excellent websites can be hidden within the mass of information. This guide provides a beginning source for information.
Eat Local Challenge
Group blog for folks taking the “eat local” challenge.
Foodroutes Network
Learn more about community based food systems, “Eat local” resources, and “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaigns from this nonprofit group.
Locavores
A website from the women who coined the phrase “locavore”. Dedicated to eating only foods grown or harvested within a 100 mile radius. Chapters nationwide.
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA)
Find out more about local and regional food systems; food and agriculture topics.
Sustainable Table
Educates consumers on local, sustainable food.
The Eat Local Challenge
Resources for people dedicated to eating only foods grown or harvested within a 100 mile radius. This site is part of Ecotrust, a Portland based conservation group that spearheads programs in food and farm.
National Cooperative Grocers Association
Various topics and recipes by coop members and staff.
County Extenson: Start with these two websites (below) OR search under: “extension agent” or “farm advisor” and “your county & state.”
County Extension
County Extension State Partners
Getting Started with Local Foods
Our Runaway Food System
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Resources for sustainable food activists including a search feature that can tell you how many miles your food may be traveling before you eat it. “Where do your fresh fruits and vegetables come from?”
Farm Aid
A nonprofit organization educating about farmers and food.
www.farmaid.org
Why Eat Local?
Piedmont Environmental Council: Why Buy Local food?
Seasonal Eating
Eat Well Guide, “Seasonal Food Guides”
Epicurious, “Seasonal Ingredient Map”
Saving Money With Local Foods
Saving Money & Food Planning
USDA, My Plate
The USDA guide for healthy eating the follows national dietary recommendations. Visualize a healthy plate, develop a personal food plan, analyze your menu.
American Dietetic Association, Healthy Eating on a Budget Tips
Farmers’ Market Money Saving Tips
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Project Green Leaf
Consumer and farmer tips for farmers’ markets, CSA and more.
Food Preservation Techniques
Ball Corporation, Canning Guide
Publishes a “Ball Blue Book Guide” for fresh food preservation which is a reliable guide with many recipes and is usually available where canning supplies are sold.
Penn State University, Food Safety Program
This extension site includes a link to “Home Food Preservation” and more food preservation resources
National Center for Home Food Preservation
Wide range of resources Resources for home food preservation, including links to “USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning.”
Eat Well!
Cooking Tips
University of IL at Urbana Champaign, Farm Direct
List of cookbooks on using fresh, local foods
Slow Food
Local Harvest
Database to find local food, you can also go to localharvest to find those foods at risk of extinction that are grown near you, and more.
Rural America Food Traditions (RAFT)
Collaboration of organizations dedicated Dedicated to rescuing America’s diverse foods and food traditions.
Seed Savers Exchange
Organization dedicated Dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds.
Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity
Projects to promote sustainable agriculture and preserve biodiversity.
Slow Food U.S.A.
Information about the organization, Find a Slow Food convivium close to you.
Slow Food USA, Ark of Taste
List of foods at risk of becoming extinct.
Organic Food
Environmental Working Group Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce
Information about pesticides and a wallet-sized guide to pesticides in produce.
Helpguide, Guide to Organic Labels
Overall guide to organic labeling and purchasing.
Organic Consumer Association
Organic resources and buying guides.
The Organic Center
Research center supporting Supports research and education about organic agriculture and food.
President’s Cancer Panel, Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk
Report on environmental exposures, including agricultural chemicals, and cancer risk.
USDA National Organic Program
Certified Organic follows strict uniform standards approved by the National Organics Standards Board. Certified standards and labeling are explained.
Sustainable
ATTRA (National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service)
Provides information Information and technical assistance about sustainable agriculture for farmers, ranchers and educators.
Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA)
“Sustainable Agriculture A-Z” is a guide for educating yourself about sustainable growing practices.
The Vivid Project
Comprehensive efforts for California to develop a sustainable food system.
UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program
Resources for sustainable community food systems for consumers, farmers, chefs, teachers, etc.
Animal Options
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
Listing of breeds at risk of disappearing.
Farm Sanctuary
Resource guide to regulating organizations for animal welfare standards and labeling practices
Food and Water Watch
Searchable data base for large-scale animal “factory farms” in your community.
Sustainable Table Guides
Guide to help support heritage breeds
Guide to meat labels
U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, Livestock’s Long Shadow
Report on the effects of livestock production on greenhouse gas emissions.
The Plant-Based Diet
American Dietetic Association, Adopting a Plant-Based Diet
Mayo Clinic, Benefits of Eating Less Meat
Websites dedicated to a one-day-a-week meatless diet.
Join The Local Food Movement
Food Policy, Consumer & Advocacy Organizations and Resources
American Farmland Trust
Dedicated to saving farmland and local farms.
ATTRA’s “Local Food Resources,” “Policy & Food Access,” and more.
Community Food Security Coalition
Categorized list of resources for community food security, sustainable agriculture and food systems, and more.
Family Farm Defenders
Nonprofit organization that supports local farmers and the consumers right to food sovereignty.
FarmAid
Nonprofit organization that supports Supports family farms with information and resources.
National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture
Dedicated to shaping public policy that promotes a sustainable food and agriculture system. that is economically viable, environmentally sound, socially just, and humane.
National Family Farm Coalition
Nonprofit group, Focuses on family farms and rural communities.
United States Department of Agriculture, Know your Food, Know Your Farmer
USDA website to learn more about food and nutrition programs, alternative farming systems and the national organic program, and many others.
School Gardens & Farm to School programs
Center for Ecoliteracy
Best known for its work Works with school gardens, school lunches, and integrating ecological principles and sustainability into school curricula.
Center for Science in the Public Interest, School Foods Tool Kit
Resources for improving school foods and beverages in local schools.
Edible Schoolyard
Resources from the Chez Panisse Foundation’s edible schoolyard project in Berkeley, California.
Farm to College resources/websites:
Cornell University Farm to School
Community Food Security Coalition Farm to College
Real Food Challenge Coalition
Farm to School
National network for programs, resources for connecting schools (K-12) and local farms.
Helping the Hungry
Feeding America
Hunger resources, including food bank locator.
Food, Research & Action Center
Nonprofit organization to stop hunger.
Grow A Row
Resources for gardeners to donate excess produce to help the hungry.
Why Hunger
Another excellent site for hunger resources.
Food Policy Councils
Community Food Security Coalition, North American Food Policy Council Guide
Food Policy Council resources and tools, includes a nationwide list.
Regularly check websites that track agriculture, food and nutrition at the national level. These include:
Food Research and Action Center
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy