Eat Smart Eat Local - The advantageous economic, environmental and social impacts of buying locally, particularly in rural communities, has been documented in research and reports. In 2005, WMA launched a two-county initiative funded by the Kellogg Foundation with the intent of accomplishing four goals:

• Update of local agriculture production data and working with two schools to develop a process for getting locally produced foods into the school food program.
• Increase the year-round presence of local agricultural products;
• Increase financial/technical assistance to growers and producers;
• Stimulate a community dialogue around buying local food