Survey: Majority of Mainers buy local food
A newly released survey shows that almost 80% of Mainers prefer buying local food, but several obstacles remain that prevent consumers from fully supporting their preferences.
The Maine Food Strategy’s 2014 Consumer Survey Report surveyed 600 Maine households by phone last year to gather information about consumer habits and attitudes regarding local food. Some 61% of respondents said they considered food produced within Maine as local, while 19% said so for the county level, 9% for New England and 6% for the town level.
The study found that two-thirds of respondents “purchase local food to support farmers, fishermen and businesses,” and one-third of respondents “are involved in food self-provisioning activities such as gardening, hunting, fishing and gathering good from the wild.”
Among other key survey findings:
• 41% of respondents spent $1-50 on local food a month;
• 27% of respondents spent $51-100 on local food a month;
• and 31% of respondents spent $100 or over on local food a month.
The study said 80% of respondents purchase most of their food at chain grocery stores, while another 8% shop at super stores and an additional 7% shop at local groceries. Just over 1% of respondents said they purchase most of their food at either farmer’s markets, or Community Supported Agriculture or Community Supported Fisheries programs.
When it comes to why households didn’t buy more local food, 24% of respondents said it was due to lack of access. Another 20% said they don’t buy more because it was inconvenient and an additional 16% said it wasn’t in season.
The Maine Food Strategy, a nonprofit organization, said its research found that there are “opportunities for education and outreach within the network of organizations working on food-related issues in Maine,” according to its website.
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