By: Darcy Keown
Fort Collins, Colo. — LoCo food distribution is a company that has worked for over ten years to streamline the process of local food sourcing in Colorado. LoCo Foods not only helps retail establishments offer local food from growers and ranchers, but it also helps said growers, ranchers, and manufacturers reach wholesale buyers in the state of Colorado.

In delivering locally grown and processed foods to restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses along the front range, the Fort Collins-based company is actively strengthening the connection between producer and purchaser so that Fort Collins has access to the finest produce.

Most global and national food distribution companies have one goal: to sell the cheapest low-quality products (at a high volume) as fast as possible. This is the kind of ‘convenient’ produce you’re most likely to find at your nearest grocery, and you may not be surprised to discover that a large portion of that produce is thrown away.

● Supermarkets are responsible for 10% of food waste, and up to 40% of food in the US is lost from farm to fork (Natural Resources Defense Council)
● More than 29 million Americans live in neighborhoods where they cannot buy healthy food to feed their families (USDA Economic Research Service)

On the flip side, LoCo encapsulates both healthy food and local economic development. Not only does local food distribution bring more attention to local farmers and their produce, but it also helps with larger-scale issues of global competition.

According to Navigating Impact, global competition has led to extreme consolidation and geographic concentration of both agricultural production and distribution–which in turn has placed a limit on employment opportunities–and raised the demand for low-wage labor.

In the last few years, LoCo has moved four million dollars worth of products within the Colorado Front Range region. According to CNote, that included a hefty number of new jobs and millions of dollars kept in the local economy. Additionally, buying local food reduces food waste, because it reduces the amount of phases that some fresh produce goes through to get to your table.

Now, more than ever, Colorado consumers are focusing on buying healthier produce. Why should consumers pay for cheap produce that only supports big companies, and not grocery store workers or growers, when they could pay for quality, locally sourced ingredients, and have their purchase benefit growers and producers in their community?

Elizabeth Mozer, founder, and CEO of LoCo food distribution, strives to cater to the people. It’s hard work, distributing locally produced foods throughout the 400-mile radius around Fort Collins, but to Elizabeth, the impact it makes is worth it.