Dear [Institution],
Food and agriculture accounts for approximately 22% of Duluth’s greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce those emissions, we need to develop a local and ecologically sound food system infrastructure that enables us to grow, process, and distribute the food our community residents and businesses need. I’m asking you, as one of our community institutions, to support this effort by making climate commitments, especially making the commitment to buying 20% of your food locally in the spirit of the Superior Compact.
The Superior Compact highlights how the bioregion of Duluth has the agricultural potential to supply our local communities with 100% local food and asks local retail and institutional food purchasers to commit to purchasing 20% local food.
Supporting local food can increase food security, connect residents to their local food system, and support local farmers. It also will keep dollars within the local economy and decrease the reliance on our globalized food network.
With your large purchasing power, I urge you to be a leader in our community in supporting our local food economy and helping reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by committing to your institution buying local.
Sincerely,