BELLEVUE, Wash.—A national survey examining the U.S. consumer’s understanding of the term “buy local” was released by The Hartman Group (Hartman-Group.com) in its Pulse Report: "Consumer Understanding of Buying Local." According to the report, the term “buy local” is a phrase with diverse meanings. Many consumers regard the idea of “local” in terms of everyday products and practices: almost three-quarters of consumers say they are currently buying products they perceive to be locally made or produced.
“Local has become a quality distinction marker for food consumption as well as environmental causes,” said Laurie Demeritt, President and COO, The Hartman Group. “At their root, local products are believed by consumers to have traveled shorter distances, to be fresher, to have less pesticides and, in general, to be of higher quality than mass-produced or imported products.”