Decoding Demand for Local Food – Part 5 (Freshness) In our current series, Localize is exploring the underlying drivers behind local food preferences and the characteristics of local food that are grabbing the attention — and dollars — of consumers. So far, we’ve discussed: How to give consumers what they want when there is no single definition of local,…
Decoding Demand for Local Food – Part 4 (Local Economy) In our current series, Localize is exploring the underlying drivers behind local food preferences and the characteristics of local food that are grabbing the attention — and dollars — of consumers. So far, we’ve discussed: How to give consumers what they want when there is no single definition of…
Decoding Demand for Local Food – Part 3 (Environmental Impact) In our current series, Localize is exploring the underlying drivers behind local food preferences and the characteristics of local food that are grabbing the attention — and dollars — of consumers. So far, we’ve discussed: How to give consumers what they want when there is no single definition of…
Decoding Demand for Local Food – Part 2 (Health) In our current series, Localize is exploring the underlying drivers behind local food preferences and the characteristics of local food that are grabbing the attention — and dollars — of consumers. Check out the first post in the series where we discuss: How to give consumers what they want when…
Decoding Demand for Local Food – Part 1 The Good Food Festival this year in Chicago included a moderated panel discussing the definition and merits of ‘local’ food. Panelists had a wide range of opinions on what constitutes a local food product and whether buying local is inherently ‘good.’ For most panelists, the answer is: It…
Decoding Demand for Local Food Trends in consumer preferences come and go, so it is fitting that food makers and retailers that attach their brand to trends that have longevity are able to gain loyal customers and drive sales. There is something particularly compelling about consumer preferences for local food. “Local” has a different…
Making Waves in the Local and Sustainable Food Movement The way people look at food is changing. No longer considered a boundless resource, for many, the demand for food has become interwoven with the need for sustainability. People are becoming more mindful of the nutrients they put into their bodies and are recognizing the…
Understanding Local in Ontario One of the enduring debates in local food circles is the question of what ‘local’ should mean. At Localize, our program is strongly informed by what consumers value. In fact, we used crowd sourcing, and customer surveys to inform the creation of the Localize Score – a measure of ‘how local’ a…
The Localize Score Measures Beyond Miles THE LOCALIZE SCORE PROVIDES A QUICK MEASURE OF ‘HOW LOCAL’ A PRODUCT IS RELATIVE TO YOU WHERE YOU SHOP. The meaning of local, we’ve learned is multifaceted, it extends beyond the distance between where a food is made, grown or raised and where it is purchased. Its meaning differs depending on your…
Crowd Sourcing a Definition for Local One of the enduring debates in local food circles is the question of what ‘local’ should mean. This question has actually been a focal point of our learning here at Localize for over a year, as we examine the many facets of local food. It turns out that…