Community FarmTable
Standards

Low Food Miles

Low food miles means food travels a short distance from where it is grown to where it is eaten — here, within 150 miles of Chicago.

"Food miles" measures the distance food travels from farm to consumer. Community FarmTable limits producers to 150 miles so that food travels a short distance, with less long-haul transport between the farm and your table.

Keeping food miles low also means keeping money in the local economy. Buying from nearby farms keeps dollars recirculating in the Greater Chicago area — supporting jobs, land stewardship, and community wealth.

Community FarmTable plans to work with producers within 150 miles of Chicago. No producer is listed yet.

Producers

Producers are joining now. Be the first in your area

Example products (illustrative)

Example item — not for sale

Beet & Ginger Juice

Example item — not for sale

Mixed Spring Greens

Example item — not for sale

Green Smoothie Pack

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does proximity matter?+
Shorter distances mean less refrigeration time, fresher food, lower transport emissions, and stronger connections between urban consumers and the farms that feed them.
Are all Community FarmTable farms within 150 miles?+
That is the plan: producers within 150 miles of Chicago's city center. No producer is listed yet.
Does lower food miles always mean lower carbon footprint?+
Usually, but not always. Transportation mode matters too — a local farm using diesel trucks may have a higher footprint per item than a distant farm shipping by rail.