The usual philosophical and political reasons some people might like to buy locally grown produce are all still around, but that hardly explains the boom seen at Farmer’s markets across the country. What does explain it? Perhaps the fears which have been stoked by the Salmonella tomatoes recently. Local papers in New Hampshire, Minnesota, Maine and other states have all noted the phenomenon of people rushing to the Farmer’s Market this summer to buy tomatoes.

One thing which I hope people remember is that “local” is no guarantee. There were two outbreaks in spinach in the past two years, both of them in California. One of the outbreaks was in an organic spinach field. Now, I understand that California may not be local for someone in Maine, but it is certainly local for more than 36 million people.

However, this current trend is certainly a boost for small business such as small health food stores which label items grown locally and for local growers. Not only do people buy tomatoes, but as long as they are already there, they pick up other items such as fruits, vegetables and baked goods.

If these vendors play their cards right, they can build up relationships and a solid consumer base so that once people feel safe shopping at major grocery chains again, they simply won’t want to anymore.