DC Region Among Best Places To Buy Local Food, New Ranking Says

WASHINGTON, DC — Washington, D.C., is among the best cities in the country when it comes to buying farm-fresh, local food, according to a new ranking.

To determine where residents were most likely to find the best local food, lawn care blog LawnStarter compared the 500 biggest U.S. cities using data from multiple sources including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Researchers then determined which cities had the greatest access, support, and interest in local food sources such as u-pick farms, on-farm markets, and local dairy farms.

The analysis did not include farmers markets, farm-to-table restaurants, co-ops and grocery stores selling local products due to a lack of national data, researchers said.

The District is the fourth-best city to buy local food, according to this year's ranking. Only Portland, Oregon, New York City, and Baltimore ranked higher.

Here's a look at the local food options in D.C., according to the ranking:

• On-Farm Markets Within 50 Miles: 36 | Rank: 9
• Local Food Hubs Within 100 Miles: 16 | Rank: 5
• Local Food School Programs: 59 | Rank: 6
• Local Farms Offering On-Farm Pickup: 20 | Rank: 13
• Number of Slow Food USA Local Chapters: 1 | Rank: 5 (TIE)

"Gather your weekly produce and discover local coffee, cheese, and jams at the Dupont Circle farmers market," the ranking states. "Discover restaurants with a 'Snail of Approval' designated by Slow Food D.C. and feast on a seasonal dinner with ingredients sourced within 150 miles of the city at Nina May."

Seven Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states score in the top half of the ranking due to the "impressive access" to farm stands, u-pick farms, and farms offering on-farm markets, pickup, and delivery services.

Texas cities and Southwestern states finished near the bottom. Anchorage, Alaska, came in last place.

See the full ranking online.