Public interest is increasing in not only how food is grown and produced, but where it is grown. More and more, consumers are seeking locally grown products. The popularity of farmers' markets continues to increase; there are regularly scheduled markets throughout the region, and in Sacramento County there is a farmers' market everyday except Monday for part of the year.

Community Supported Agriculture, where a person becomes a "shareholder" in exchange for a regular delivery of seasonal produce, is also gaining popularity. Wholesale suppliers, such as Produce Express, are expanding deliveries of locally grown produce to restaurants throughout their service area, and Whole Foods Market has started selling local produce in their stores. Placer County is working on a model of using distribution centers where farms can make one stop to deliver produce that then gets distributed by a third party.

Value added local products, such as jams and sauces, are also making their way into more local gift shops and restaurants. Local farmers selling directly to consumers can improve their profit margins by eliminating the middleman and reducing the cost of transport to market. Many consumers believe they get a better product from local growers and can reduce their carbon footprint by buying food that is transported far fewer miles than by conventional distribution systems.

• Farmers' Markets in the Sacramento Region