1% is the goal...

Let's Build A Local Food System Together

Last week I wrote about Local Food and what I thought some of the major challenges are to building a more local food system in the DFW metroplex. In the week since I wrote this, I have had more than a few conversations with people about this, and I have been asked some questions that I didn’t have answers to.

I have spent more than a few nights this past week awake and staring at my ceiling. Each time, my mind has been focusing on one particular question: Where is our food system headed?

Today, I want to explore some of the motivations and my thoughts that have led me to start this mission. First, some background, when I look at the food system here in Dallas-Fort Worth, I see a massive $40B industry. When I see numbers this big, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and think that small changes won't matter.

Chef’s For Farmers 2019 (Photo by Adam Cohen)

Confession time – I have been struggling with motivation for a while, because this is such a MASSIVE challenge. But this week, something happened that crystallized my focus. I realized that I don’t need to overhaul the entire system overnight. I don’t need to tear down everything and build a perfect system. Instead, I can use the levers I can reach and start to shift things that way.

My goal is now highly specific: I want to redirect 1% of spending to local producers.

When this goal is realized, that will represent $400M annually that would now support farms, food producers, and distributors right here in DFW.

Now, I admit, if you just focus on the number, "1%" - it does sound small. It would be easy to dismiss this as ultimately ineffectual. BUT the reality is that if we can accomplish this together – if we can create a ripple at that tiny level, the tangible effects that it can have on the local community are incalculable. So, this week, I am going to try really hard to focus on that tangible impact that it will have for this community.

For the past three months, my day job has been to work with local Chefs to connect them to the produce that is grown at the farm I work for. Since the beginning of this year, I have added over 25 restaurants to our client list, and about 12 of those order each week. While some only order one or two things, some of these Chefs are actively trying to source a large part of their menus from local producers. I am also actively working to connect with other local farmers to build a distribution network that can connect even more local production with the market.

I have been watching the trends locally, and what I see is exciting to me: There is a desire for local food! Chefs want it. People want it. Farmers want to grow it.

So, where I am now, is that a shift like this is not just possible, it is 100% achievable.

I personally have seen more restaurants intentionally sourcing local foods, data shows that more farmers markets are thriving, and more consumers asking where their food comes from. But, the commercial food system isn't going to change direction quickly - that's just reality.

Now the question has to become, “What are the barriers? Where are the roadblocks? Why are more businesses not doing this?”

What we need is consistent, dedicated effort to build our local food economy. This isn't just about hitting a number. Instead, it's about creating a resilient local food system that supports our community. And at $400M, we could create hundreds of sustainable jobs and businesses right here in DFW. 💪

Every week, I see more people joining this movement, from small-scale farmers to local distributors stepping up to meet the demand. Let's grow this conversation, work together, and forge a path that builds a truly local food economy.

If you are involved in local food, in any aspect, I would ask that you reach out. Leave your social media links, or send me a message. Let’s connect and see how we can work together to build this.

Join me in planting some seeds daily for the future of our Local Food System

Production Ponds at Profound Microfarms in Lucas, TX (Photo by Adam Cohen)

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