Local Foods

All Local Foods Content

A husband and wife displaying fresh produce at a farmer's market stand.

Local Foods

Local Foods can help strengthen a community by stimulating the local economy and creating local entrepreneurial opportunities.

Group of children eating fresh vegetables
Sep 15

South Dakota Crunch Off

The South Dakota Crunch Off is an annual statewide event to celebrate local produce and farm to school by crunching into any South Dakota grown fruit or vegetable.

Vegetable garden
Nov 07

South Dakota Local Foods Conference

The South Dakota Local Foods Conference will be held from Friday, November 7 to Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel 1400 8th Ave NW, Aberdeen, SD 57401).

Interior of a licensed commercial kitchen.

Licensed Kitchen – Food Service Code Construction and Design Guidance

Fact sheet to help the processor understand the South Dakota food service code so they can determine if it’s feasible to build their own licensed kitchen at their home residence.

Young tomato plants surrounded by organic mulch in a no-till garden.

Microbial Water Testing for South Dakota Producers

Microbial water testing is important for produce growers to know the quality of their water to help ensure the safety of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs they produce.

Producer unloading fresh, farm-grown produce from a delivery truck at a super market.

Regulatory Guidance for Selling Foods in South Dakota

Now more than ever, we are seeing food processors and entrepreneurs in South Dakota bringing their food products, not only to farmers markets, but also to retail stores. This article provides regulatory guidance and outlines the necessary steps required to allow for the sale of foods to retail stores.

Producers cutting meat with a band saw.

Butcher's Guide to Red Meat

The purpose of this guide is to serve as an educational resource to help bridge the knowledge gap between livestock producers, meat processors, and consumers to aid in furthering processor education and to serve as a resource to reference when answering consumer questions.

Group of students eating lunch at school

Farm to School

Farm to school provides an opportunity for youth in early childcare, educational settings, after-school programs and other settings to experience local foods.

Three ladies standing with lunch trays of food

South Dakota Farm to School Network

The South Dakota Farm to School Network is an open group of individuals and organizations whose work or personal interests align with the components of farm to school. Learn how you or your organization can get involved today!

silver maple tree

Tapping Maples for Sap

Fact sheet on how to tap maple trees for sap.