# Local Labeling Systems 'Localize' Uses Local Food Labels to Help Consumers Support Their Community By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-07-08 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/local-food-labels References: [newhope](http://newhope.com/news-analysis/localize-hits-shelf-bring-more-business-and-integrity-local-foods) & [localizeyourfood](http://www.localizeyourfood.com/) When shopping in grocery stores, consumers have come to look out for labels like gluten-free, cruelty-free, organic and free range, yet there are few local food labels that call attention to the fact that a food item is locally produced. 'Localize' is a new [shelf-labeling system](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aldi-live-healthy) that aims to change this. Since there can be some confusion as to what "local" truly means, Localize takes it upon itself to determine a score on how local a product is. This process involves evaluating where ingredients were grown, processed, sustainability involved and whether or not profits remain in the local economy or get filtered back into a parent company. This data is then displayed on grocery store shelf labels, which feature a [QR code](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iqrcode) that can be scanned to offer more information. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 79% | Activity: 59% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Local Food Labeling:** Labeling system that evaluates how local a product is and displays this information on grocery store shelves using QR codes. - **Sustainable Sourcing:** Growing trend in food industry that evaluates where ingredients were grown or processed in terms of environmental impact and sustainability. - **Transparent Consumerism:** Growing trend where consumers demand more information about the products and services they purchase, including supply chain and environmental impact. ### Where This Applies - **Grocery Retail:** Opportunity to differentiate from competitors by implementing a local labeling system that informs customers of how locally sourced their products are. - **Food Production:** Opportunity to improve supply chain transparency and sustainability efforts to meet growing consumer demand for locally sourced and environmentally friendly products. - **Agriculture:** Opportunity to market products with a focus on sustainability and promote transparent sourcing practices to meet growing demand for environmentally friendly products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Collaborative Nonprofit Group Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-labels-big-impact-campaign.md) - [Affordable Off-Brand Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unitas.md) - [Color-Changing Food Labels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freshtag.md) - [Digital Food Labels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nutrislice-spotlight.md) - [Affordable Clean-Label Groceries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/know-love.md) - [Cultivated Meat Certification Labels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clabel-from-vlabel.md) - [Advanced Grocer Shelf Labels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coop-and-vusiongroup.md) - [Interactive Packaging Content](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smartlinks.md) - [Hyper-Traceable Pet Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goodlands.md)