Are local foods more sustainable?

Buying local helps to support area farmers, but does not guarantee that your purchase supports sustainability. Only 20 percent of U.S. farmland is located near metropolitan areas, which makes buying local difficult. Furthermore, as our population grows and competes for land, energy and water, U.S. farmers will need to be even more efficient and productive. Small, local farms and larger farms will need to continue to work together to practically and sustainably address all future food production needs.