This document discusses food safety considerations when buying locally. It notes that local buying can support sustainable agriculture while meeting consumer demand for locally sourced food. However, food safety must still be managed carefully. Regulations vary by state regarding items like eggs and dairy. Produce carries foodborne illness risks. Perishables like meat and dairy require frequent buying for freshness, while non-perishables can be ordered less often. Factors like seasonality, weather, and transportation costs impact pricing, and contract buying trades price stability for less flexibility.

1. Food-Safety
Considerations
When Buying
Locally

2. The local-food movement,
begun more than a decade ago as a
means for consumers to reconnect
with the land,
has become
consumers’
first priority.

3. Local buying can also contribute
to sustainable agriculture,
enhancing the environmental
quality and the natural-resource
base on which a community
depends.

4. So how do you meet
your consumers’ interests
but also manage the costs
of buying from multiple
vendors and,
most importantly,
how do you purchase
local foods safely?

5. Know the regulations
In some states, you may purchase
fresh shell eggs from a local farmer, if
the farmer is licensed with the state.
Any local dairy products that you
purchase must be pasteurized.

6. Local produce can be desirable as
part of the quest to use the freshest
in-season product possible.
However, produce can often be
the source of foodborne illness.

7. Buying safely
Food safety is a “farm-to-fork” process for
everyone involved regardless of operation
size.

8. There are two major food
categories: perishablesand
non-perishables.

9. Perishables
-items include fruits, vegetables, fresh
fish and shellfish, fresh meats, poultry,
and dairy products
-as a rule, perishables are bought
frequently to ensure freshness.

10. Non-perishables
-items include dry goods, flour, cereals,
and miscellaneous items such as olives,
pickles, and other condiments
-these can be ordered on a weekly or
monthly basis.

11. Factors That Impact Prices
Seasonality
Weather
Costs of transportation

12. Contract Buying
This may mean that the
property can only purchase from
a specific supplier, but in return it
will have negotiated set pricing
for the duration of the contract.

13. This has advantages and
disadvantages.

14. On the positive side, the
contract price remains stable and
the job of managing food costs
becomes more consistent since
there are no price fluctuations.

15. On the negative side, contract
buying takes away the opportunity
to compare prices between suppliers
and take advantage of specials that
may be offered.