A new report finds that as many as 46 percent of U.S. shoppers regularly seek out local, organic food and are willing to pay more for these food options as well.

The city of San Luis Obispo, located in central California has announced a "buy local" food policy for its jail and Juvenile Services Center, reports the San Luis Obispo's Tribune.

Louisiana's legislature is considering a bill that would offer financial rewards to area restaurants that use locally grown fruits and vegetables in their menu items.

It’s great for the economy too. Local growers and businesses get eager customers, ready to snap of homegrown goodies.

And this Fourth of July, Kitchen Gardeners International, the folks who led the efforts to plant a garden on the White House lawn, encouraged governors from all 50 states to declare their food independence and eat more local food.

A spokesperson for the group said buying food grown close to home helps cut the United States’ dependence on foreign producers and growers.

Here’s an example. Most of the garlic used in the U.S. is grown in China. So buying local garlic might encourage more domestic farmers to grow it and eventually drop our dependence on Chinese garlic.

Lucky for me, I just got some organic garlic from my CSA.

And local food tastes better. One expert says most tomatoes in the United States are picked green and are not bred for flavor or nutrient quality, but rather for uniform shape and color. That’s why I grow my own giant tomatoes!

Via Eat, Drink and Be Healthy.

And now, in a company-wide green initiative, Chipotle has increased its local produce program by 10%.

Currently, Chipotle purchases at least 35% of bulk produce for all restaurants from local farmers. Stuff like lettuce, green bell peppers, jalapenos and onions.

Chipotle has more than 25 local farms in its network, serving nearly 900 restaurants nationwide.

Now, Frito-Lay claims its potatoes are local too, but the jury is still out on the artificial flavorings.

Via TreeHugger.