Why Local Economies Matter to Food Systems
Business creation is important to a community’s food system from both a producer and a consumer perspective. New businesses can help bring food diversity and foster culturally-inspired food services in an area. Existing businesses can help bring customers and consistency. More businesses in a community can also help keep costs low through competition and help maintain or increase quality over time. Business death, on the other hand, creates uncertainty and instability in a local economy and can cause shifts in food prices, availability, store hours, and locations.