Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)

Address: 1 Sugarloaf ST
Town: South Deerfield, MA 01373
Telephone: (413) 665-7100/1-866-965-7100
Web site: http://www.buylocalfood.com
Category: Non-Profit Groups

Our Mission

CISA's ‘Be a Local Hero, Buy Locally Grown' public awareness and marketing campaign was launched in 1999 and has become the country's longest running and most comprehensive ‘buy local' program for farm products. Each year more than 120 farms, 12 restaurants, 45 grocery stores and 8 farmers markets join together to raise awareness and sales of locally grown farm products.

The Local Hero campaign uses a wide array of paid advertising - print, radio, web site - and public relations - press releases, events and appearances - to engage the public and increase support for local farmers. 80% of consumers in Franklin and Hampshire Counties recognize the Local Hero logo!

The Local Hero campaign has grown to cover all local farm products, from fruits and vegetables to dairy, poultry, forestry and fiber products. It is regarded as a successful model for communities across the continent and world that are seeking to sustain farming by helping consumers find and purchase locally grown products.

CISA's Local Hero campaign operates in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, a three-county region spanning the Connecticut River and containing some of the most productive agricultural soils in the world. A large farming community spans the valley, producing diverse seasonal and year-round farm products for local, regional and national consumption.

Recent new projects include a Farm2City program connecting rural farmers with urban consumers and an institutional buying project which increases use of local farm products at area schools and hospitals.

Want to learn more about the Local Hero campaign? Choose from any of these links for more information:

The Local Hero campaign

2006 Market Research Report

Local Hero campaign summary and member comments

Listen to Local Hero radio commercials
2007 Commercials: Sarah Peterson, Farmer Jim, Supermarket.
2006 Commercials: Let's Make Dinner, Story with Taste, Vistor.
2005 Humorous commercials: Local shopping trip, local strawberry picking, local wood.
2004 Farmer commercials: Breezy Acres, Flayvors of Cook's Farm, Warm Colors Apiary.

View the current searchable, online Farm Products Guide

Work with CISA to start a buy local campaign in your community
Learn about our consulting services.
Purchase our comprehensive manual on planning, implementing and evaluating buy local campaings.