We are all learning the importance of buying local - supporting our local farmers and small businesses contributes to a stable and self-sufficient local economy. But not everything we need or want can be produced locally. For these items we turn to Rooted Foods – foods that are “local” somewhere else.
Our main objective is transparency - to give you, the eater, the information you need to make informed purchasing decisions. And we strive for open communication between consumer and producer.
Rooted Foods is neither a non or for-profit, but a volunteer initiative that strives to be a For-Benefit organization. It is our goal to support small producers worldwide by educating consumers about these wonderfully unique regionally-based products.
Our volunteer team reviews products, gathers information, visits the producers, and nominates the products for inclusion in the program.
An independent Review Board then assesses each nominated product to ensure that it meets the strict Rooted Foods criteria.
Through Culinary Collective, we have already partnered up with Root Capital, who provides loans to sustainable grassroots businesses in 29 countries. We seek to expand collaboration to include other businesses and non-profits with similar or parallel missions – to support local producers, strengthen local economies, and protect the environment. If you are interested in this initiative, please contact us!
Strengthen Local Economies (pre-requisite) - small businesses are at the foundation of a thriving local economy.
Protect Genetic Diversity - small producers around the world grow century-old varieties and heritage breeds that are unique to their environment.
Promote Cultural Diversity - recipes that have been passed down through the generations are cultural treasures to be preserved and enjoyed.
Provide Healthier and Tastier Food - native foods produced using local naturally grown ingredients are healthy and flavorful.
Encourage Sustainable Practices - small producers are more tightly woven into the fabric of their communities and are often the true stewards of the land.
Ensure Food Security - food and water scarcity are serious problems worldwide. Supporting small produers protects communities from global food crises.
Local Sourcing - A majority of all ingredients are purchased within the region in which the company is located (region is defined as bioregion or country depending on the size and geographic make up of the area), AND is either grown directly by the producing company or is purchased direct from the farmer or a farmer organization at fair prices.
Authenticity - The product or recipe is native to the producer’s region and has historically been part of the regional food culture.
Local Ownership - The producing company is privately or worker-owned with a majority of the owners being local community members.
Social Responsibility - The producing company’s social and financial practices and policies are designed to ensure maximum benefit to the company’s employees and to the local community and economy. (ie. living wage, profit-sharing, local purchasing and banking, local hiring, training programs, etc.).
Environmental Stewardship - The producing company’s environmental practices and policies are designed to minimize environmental impact through the elimination of chemicals and waste, and the reduction of resource use. (i.e. organic farming, recycling, reducing packaging, purchasing policies, etc.)
We have personally surveyed and visited the companies behind each Rooted Foods product to see for ourselves that they are being true to the criteria. An independent Review Board assesses each product and the company behind it, and this assessment is made available to you on this website. We welcome your feedback about the products, the companies, our assessment, even our criteria and definitions. We would be glad to put you in touch with any of the producers if you have further questions. Together, we will continue to strengthen our understanding of what it means to be rooted.
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