The word LOCAL can mean a lot of different things depending on who is defining it. Prairie Food Co-op defines local as products grown or produced in Illinois, or within 200 miles of our store in Lombard. However, closer is always better. For example, sourcing a product from 300 miles might not be in our definition of local, but it's still better than 1000 miles away.
From this excellent article: A handful of corporations control our food from farm to fork. Their unbridled power grants them increasing political influence over the rules that govern our food system and allows them to manipulate the marketplace – pushing down the prices paid to family farmers and driving them out of business. For eaters, extreme consolidation leaves fewer choices in the grocery aisle and higher prices, while corporate-written policies are sparking growing food safety concerns and less transparency in the marketplace. In sum, our corporate controlled food system damages rural communities, local economies, public health and the soil and water needed to sustain food production.
Prairie Food Co-op is committed to creating a viable market for local farmers — at the height of the growing season, local farmers can provide about 42% of the produce on our shelves (we will carry non-local items like citrus and bananas year-round). While not all local produce will be organic, the majority will be grown following organic practices (organic certification is expensive and time consuming). We are committed to providing clear and transparent labeling so shoppers can make informed decisions.
It takes time to grow relationships with local farms, as well as establish contracts for the growing season. So please be patient with us as we work to bring in more and more local farmers and food producers during initial years of operation.
Why Buy Local?
Support jobs: National chains often bring loss of jobs. The opening of a Wal-Mart reduces retail employment by an average of 150 jobs in the county of its location. Your local food co-op will support over 30 staff members, with approximately 50% full time with benefits.
Support the environment: Local products use a smaller carbon footprint to enter your home. Local food businesses that sell our store will be vetted and held to high standards in terms of food production, land management, and animal welfare.
Support choice & diversity: Though a single local shop stocks a smaller selection than can be found online or at large chains, a multiplicity of independent retailers creates great diversity. If you cannot find what you are looking for, ask staff if we can get it for you.
Support quality of life: Spending time in a football sized store, or wandering an entire aisle of salad dressings takes quality time away from your day. Wouldn’t you rather be gardening?
Support community organizations: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses. In 2023, US food co-ops donated more than $12 million to support local non-profit organizations (source).
Support your health: The shorter the time between the farm and your table, the less likely it is that nutrients will be lost from fresh food.
Support land preservation: When farmers get paid more for their products by marketing locally, they’re less likely to sell farmland for development. That means more choice for food eaters AND more resilience during climate-related crop failures, and supply-chain issues.
Support the local tax base: A portion of the sales tax you pay for non-food items stays in our own county for vital public services.