What Is Local Food?

According to national survey data, American consumers exhibit a high interest in and awareness of local foods. To capitalize on consumer interest and demand, food producers frequently use the term “local,” or some derivation, on product labels. However, despite its pervasiveness, there is no standard definition for what constitutes local food at the federal, state, or local level of government— and consumer perception of the term’s meaning can vary depending on the type of product. If the term is to have a meaning that carries legal weight for consumers, producers, and retailers, it must have a consistent definition.

In part, the lack of definition stems from the fact that legislative efforts to support local food systems are relatively new; most laws related to local foods were enacted or significantly amended within the last 15 years. Additionally, the terminology used in these laws is often unspecific. More recent laws have addressed the weaknesses of “first generation” local food laws by including more measurable targets and mandates to better support local food systems and increase access to locally produced food. For example, certain states define products that were grown outside the state but were packaged or processed inside the state as “local” or include them as part of their state branding programs. Some are revising those definitions to include more precise language, so that regulators and consumers can better understand how to interpret these terms and provide a stronger basis for consumer purchasing decisions. Overall, however, the term “local” remains largely ill-defined, creating not only consumer confusion, but also challenges in meeting goals and evaluating the impacts of local food legislation.

This issue brief focuses on the current legal and policy context for use of the term local. The first section provides a description of how various government bodies define “local,” with particular focus on the range of state approaches. The second section of the brief examines policy questions related to the use of “local.” The brief concludes with recommendations for policymakers to increase transparency for consumers.