Montana Grows A Lot Of Food, But We Eat Just 3%

Montana Wants To Go From Consuming 3% Of Its Own Food To 33%

It should come as no surprise that Montana grows a whole lot of food.

But here's a number that might surprise you. We consume just 3% of the food grown right here in Montana.

What Is Montana's 33 By 33 Local Food Initiative?

I couldn't believe that number, and it turns out I'm not the only one. Now, state agriculture leaders are trying to change that with a new initiative called 33 by 33.

The goal is to increase the share of Montana-grown food consumed right here in the state to 33% by the year 2033.

It was a major topic at the third Governor's Summit on Local Food and Agriculture, where farmers, policymakers, and community leaders gathered to talk about getting more locally grown food onto Montana tables.

According to KTVH, Montana produces everything from beef and grains to seed oils, but much of that food gets shipped elsewhere. That means a lot of what we buy at the grocery store comes from outside Montana.

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Montana Wants To Build Stronger Markets For Local Producers

Another big reason to get behind this initiative is that bringing more Montana products into local markets could benefit everyone, from farmers and businesses to consumers.

Of course, there's one major hurdle. Farmers need consistent buyers for their products, while grocery stores, restaurants, and schools need a reliable supply of those same products. Both sides have to be able to count on each other to make this work.

Thankfully, we've already made some progress in expanding local food distribution. That includes investments in meat processing and farm-to-school programs.

The goal is certainly ambitious. Going from 3% to 33% in just seven years would mean keeping a much bigger share of the food Montana produces right here at home instead of shipping it off to other markets. It's a big challenge, but one worth working toward.