A University of South Carolina study shows that residents of the state are eating more local food because of the Certified South Carolina program.
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture established the program in 2007, according to a news release from the university.
According to the study, residents of the state purchased an additional $176 million in products from South Carolina farmers in 2018 than they did in 2010, across all food categories in the program. That accounts for an additional $274 million in economic activity, according to the study by Joseph Von Nessen, a research economist at the university’s Darla Moore School of business.
“Dr. Von Nessen’s findings tell us why Certified South Carolina is so important: Consumers want local food, and this program is helping them find it,” South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers said in the release. “I’m thrilled that South Carolinians continue to support our state’s 24,000-plus farmers.”
Previous research has shown there’s a 78% recognition rate for the Certified SC Grown branding campaign with residents of South Carolina.
