By: Emmalee Krieg

Fort Collins, Colo. — Distribution is inevitable. We hardly think about one item we buy and the complicated chain that stretches through different continents and resources to land in our lap.

Fort Collins is no exception in these extensive supply chains, however, we can further examine some of the initiatives and progress along the way.

Fort Collins does have a considerable amount of local businesses that prioritize local sourcing of goods such as food. This includes LoCo Food Distribution which offers, “Colorado retail establishments an easy way to offer products from local growers, ranchers and manufacturers.”

LoCo Foods currently deliver local items to grocery stores, independent retailers, and institutions from Fort Collins, all the way down to Colorado Springs. This sustains small businesses and institutions in our community by delivering goods and creating jobs. Moreover, it lessens carbon emissions. By keeping our distribution of goods within one state, there is less traveling with fewer vehicles. It also reinforces the jobs of local farmers. 

Restaurants that choose to source locally in Fort Collins such as Spoons, partner with local farms. They locally source a lot of their ingredients, “working closely with a variety of Colorado farms whose values align with our own, which is to serve only the cleanest and freshest produce.”

Buying local produce has a positive effect on our carbon footprints. According to Columbia Climate School, buying food locally could, “ reduce the average consumer’s greenhouse gas emissions by four to five percent at best.”

While there’s a whole lot more that goes into reducing our carbon footprint than just buying locally, having places that source from these institutions for better distribution is a good start for the environment.