A statewide coalition of farmers and grassroots organizations launched a grassroots project to increase the sales of local food. The Wisconsin “Eat Local” Challenge encourages consumers to spend 10 percent of their food budget on local food for ten days, September 14 – 23.

The purpose of the challenge is to raise consumer awareness of the advantages of local food, including quality, freshness and variety. The goal is to create an annual event that will grow. Information gained from the challenge will help local food growers and sellers better serve consumers.

Here’s how it works:
1 – Sign up for the challenge: www.cias.wisc.edu/eatlocal
2 – Track your local food spending.
3 – Share your results through the local food survey.

The results of the challenge will be reported at the 2nd Annual Wisconsin Local Food Summit and the 10th Annual Midwest Value Added Conference, January 24-25 in Eau Claire, WI.

Consumer interest in local food continues to grow and Wisconsin is in a position to take advantage of the trend. The state ranks third in the nation for number of farmers’ markets, behind California and New York; boasts numerous CSA’s, or community supported agriculture farms; and enjoys a growing number of restaurants, grocers and businesses active in providing local foods.

The Wisconsin “Eat Local” campaign is sponsored by a statewide collaboration of educators, farmers and public and private agencies including the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; the University of Wisconsin, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems; Michael Fields Agricultural Institute; the Northwestern Wisconsin Regional Food Network; REAP Food Group; Sustain Dane; UW River Falls College of Agriculture Food and Environmental Sciences; UW Stevens Point, GEM Center; and others.

To use SavorWisconsin.com to find local food in your area click here.

For more information about the website or the WI Eat Local Challenge, contact Amy Bruner, 608-224-5017.