{"id":8023,"date":"2019-12-03T09:17:37","date_gmt":"2019-12-03T17:17:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-prod.qad.com\/blog\/?p=8023"},"modified":"2019-12-03T09:17:37","modified_gmt":"2019-12-03T17:17:37","slug":"how-locally-grown-products-are-disrupting-fb-manufacturing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qad.com\/blog\/2019\/12\/how-locally-grown-products-are-disrupting-fb-manufacturing","title":{"rendered":"How Locally Grown Products are Disrupting F&B Manufacturing"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”8024″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]There is a developing trend that has been gaining steam in recent years that has the potential to seriously impact and \u201cdisrupt\u201d <\/span>food and beverage manufacturing<\/span><\/a>. That trend has been referred to by a number of terms, such as \u201cbuying local\u201d and \u201ceating local\u201d. It means buying food that is sourced and\/or grown within a geographical location that could be considered \u201clocal\u201d. Is \u201ceating local\u201d the next-generation of the \u201corganic\u201d trend?<\/span><\/p>\n

What Does \u201cLocally Grown\u201d Really Mean?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cLocal\u201d labelling is not officially defined, regulated or monitored by any official regulating body so the meaning on a label can vary. Though, when a food or beverage product is labeled as \u201clocally grown\u201d, the \u201clocal\u201d part usually refers to an area of about 150 miles. It may be a wider area if a state or regional tagline is added. For example, a food label in a store in New York might read \u201c<\/span>New York State Grown and Certified<\/span><\/a>\u201d. While the product was grown outside of Buffalo, it was sold downstate in Yorktown Heights, which is more than 150 miles away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Until recently, locally grown food usually meant things like fruits, vegetables, dairy products and locally raised meats. Craft brewing has also been pushing the \u201clocally grown\u201d tagline. Today, however, the trend is moving to packaged foods as well. Smaller manufacturers are popping up all over the United States, as well as in other countries, to process and produce locally grown food products. Some examples include sugar from Michigan grown sugar beets, cereals from midwest grain producing states, and potato products from Idaho grown potatoes.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the General Perception of Locally Grown Products?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The \u201clocally grown\u201d movement has been fueled by the perception that locally grown, produced and sourced foods contain many benefits. Many consumers assume \u201clocally grown\u201d products are fresher and have a longer shelf life. This comes from the idea that local products do not need to travel far to reach the stores, allowing the consumer access to better tasting products that are potentially safer and of a higher quality. Some feel like they are contributing to their civic responsibility by promoting local businesses and farms. In many cases, this is true, but not always. It\u2019s important to read up on individual food and beverage products and educate yourself on where exactly they\u2019re being sourced.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the benefits often associated with buying locally sourced products include:<\/span><\/p>\n