Supermarket chains are offering more and more local products every day, thus supporting the regional economy with fresher products and, above all, helping to create a regional ecosystem where all players have a more relevant role.
This trend can be clearly seen in chains across the country, with entire islands of food and other items highlighting that they are local products. It has resulted in exponential growth of products such as honey, fruits, and vegetables from small producers and the development of organic farms.
With this growth and support from supermarkets, prices are not increased due to intermediaries, where producers have direct access to buyers and store managers, reducing time and offering more freshness and less waste.
This effort to integrate local businesses also includes fast food restaurant chains, where the first option is to buy products from the region rather than looking outside the state.
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An important and tangible example occurs in Florida, where vegetable farms have direct contracts and much more flexible payment terms, resulting in the growth of the local economy in the center of the state and more significant employment opportunities, not only for farm workers but also for the entire integrated chain, including warehouse workers, packers, etc.
High-end restaurants have also jumped on this bandwagon, offering dishes on their menus that integrate local products, promoting the consumption of seasonal foods with new creations.
And, of course, technology is not far behind. Today several applications connect consumers in large cities with local farms where they can buy regional products at home with the convenience of pressing a button. We see this even in the famous Farmers Markets, where producers capture the information of their new customers and keep them in constant contact by offering new products at affordable prices.
In conclusion, the consumer is inclined to buy local products versus global ones. After all, he knows that he benefits in different verticals, gets a better quality product at a more affordable price, and is aware that he supports small communities in their development with sustainable growth.