South Dakota launches local food network website

By Scout Nelson

In both urban and rural areas, access to fresh, local food is essential for boosting economies and helping farmers.In response to this need, the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition recently launched a new website called South Dakota Fresh Connect. The site aims to increase access to local foods while connecting consumers with producers in their area.

Through South Dakota Fresh Connect, producers and farmers markets can create free accounts and profiles, listing their available products on an interactive map. Consumers, restaurants, markets, and organizations can also create accounts to locate local food sources. The platform enables users to search by location and specific products, making it easier to find what they need.

Chris Goldade, a Soil Health Technician with the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, explained the purpose of the platform: “A lot of our areas of the state are considered food deserts, according to the USDA, and people struggle to get fresh, locally grown food. We’re just trying to figure out the free way for people to connect.”

The website also benefits businesses like Wurst and More, a food truck in Spearfish, South Dakota, owned by Lori Brown. Brown noted, “That increased networking opportunity is super important, especially for us as beginners in this space.”

Established producers like Haroldson Farms, which has been selling produce near Bruce, South Dakota, for over eight years, also see the benefit of listing on the platform, offering consumers greater access to fresh, locally sourced food.

By improving connections between consumers and farmers, South Dakota Fresh Connect is enhancing the local food network, boosting agricultural sustainability, and supporting rural communities across the state.

Photo Credit:istock-elenathewise