The “buy local” movement is powerful in Pennsylvania, a state with a rich agricultural heritage. Shoppers actively seek out products labeled “local” or “PA Preferred” to support nearby farms and enjoy fresher food. However, the term “local” can be surprisingly flexible, and some brands use it misleadingly. This practice, known as “local washing,” involves selling products that are not truly local, but are sourced from far away and only minimally processed in the state.
1. Many “Amish” and “Mennonite” Products
The Pennsylvania Dutch country is famous for its high-quality foods, and many brands use this association in their marketing. However, a product with an “Amish” or “Mennonite” style label is not always what it seems. Some of these brands are owned by large, out-of-state corporations that simply operate a packaging facility in Pennsylvania. The actual ingredients may be sourced from factory farms in the Midwest or other parts of the country.
2. Certain Dairy Products
A carton of milk with a “local” Pennsylvania dairy label on it might seem straightforward. However, due to complex dairy cooperative systems, the raw milk used in that product could have been sourced from farms in neighboring states like New York or Maryland. While the milk is pasteurized and bottled in a Pennsylvania facility, which legally allows for the “local” label, the origin of the core ingredient is not what the consumer might expect.
3. Bread and Baked Goods
Many beloved Pennsylvania bread companies, like Stroehmann’s or Maier’s, bake their products in the state. However, the primary ingredient, wheat, is almost certainly not a local product. The vast majority of the hard red wheat used for commercial bread production is grown in the Great Plains states like Kansas and North Dakota. The bread is baked locally, but its main component has traveled a very long way.
4. Some “Local” Produce in Winter
During the winter months, shoppers must be extra skeptical of “local” produce claims. While Pennsylvania has a thriving greenhouse industry, many of the “local” tomatoes, peppers, and greens sold in supermarkets from December to March are actually sourced from Mexico or California. These items may be distributed by a Pennsylvania-based company, which allows them to use a local brand name, but the produce itself is not grown locally.
5. Pierogies from National Brands
Pierogies are a staple food in many parts of Pennsylvania, especially in the Pittsburgh area. While there are many fantastic local producers, some of the mass-produced pierogies in the freezer aisle that use Pennsylvania-centric branding are actually made by large, national food companies. These companies may have a facility in the state, but their ingredients are sourced from their national supply chain.
6. Apple Cider
Pennsylvania is a major apple-producing state, but you should still be wary of some “local” cider labels. Some larger cider producers will supplement their local apple supply with cheaper, bulk apple juice concentrate, which is often imported from China. While the final product is blended and bottled in Pennsylvania, it is not made entirely from local apples as the folksy label might suggest.
7. “Philadelphia” Cream Cheese
This is a classic example of a brand name that implies a local origin that is no longer accurate. While Philadelphia Cream Cheese was invented in New York and named after the Pennsylvania city to evoke an image of quality, it has not been produced there for a very long time. The product, owned by the global giant Kraft Heinz, is now primarily made in the Midwest.
The True Meaning of Local
The practice of “local washing” takes advantage of a consumer’s good intentions. The best way to ensure you are truly supporting a local farm or producer is to look beyond a simple marketing claim. You should look for specific information, like the name and address of the farm, on the package. Shopping at a local farmers’ market is an even better way to connect directly with the people who grow your food and to be certain of its origin.
Have you ever been misled by a “local” food label in Pennsylvania? What are your favorite truly local PA-made products? Share your thoughts!
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