So, what’s the beef on ‘Local’ anyway? A hot topic, the awareness of local foods continues to climb an exponential slope. So, why all the interest? Is it all just a marketing ploy by nearby farmers? How do you define “Local” anyway? While definitions vary, we use the definition acknowledged by the USDA, which points to any product that’s transported less than 400 miles from its origin. That’s also about one day’s drive. What’s within 400 miles of you? Grassfed beef? Peaches? Cage-free eggs? Citrus? Well, that depends on where you are and, for many items, the growing season.
It’s easy to see what items are local while you’re at the Farm. Any item with a red sign is one of our “Local Picks.” If you’re curious what Local Picks are in-store before you shop, check your Jacksonville or Orlando store’s online Live Market Board, which highlights current local items at the bottom.
Our team of buyers searches the marketplace 12 hours a day, 7 days a week looking for the highest quality products available. So, you can be confident that our Local Picks are top notch – not a sub-par item that was selected solely because of where it was grown. We don’t just support local farmers; we support local farmers doing excellent work. It’s how we ensure we live up to our mission of bringing you the finest quality, freshest meat and produce at a great value.