Is local sourcing truly sustainable for small businesses?
I run a small business and I've been wondering whether we're actually seeing a shift back to local sourcing, or if it's just a trend that big corporations co-opt. We started buying from nearby farms two years ago, and while our customers love the story, the logistics are a nightmare—prices fluctuate 30% more than with our old suppliers, and we often deal with shortages. But there's something about knowing exactly where our ingredients come from that keeps me going. Is the push for local food systems genuinely sustainable for small businesses, or are we romanticizing something that only works in theory? I'd love to hear from others who've tried it—are you seeing real benefits or just adding costs?