Grassroots groups, local entrepreneurs and broad-based coalitions are building the foundations of an economy that distributes economic benefits widely and minimizes damage to the environment. Local food grows everywherePhoto by Flickr / John Tornow. Local food, once a tiny niche market, has gone mainstream. Avoiding red meat and dairy may be a more important way to avoid contributing to the climate crisis than eating local, and local food isn’t always greener. Redirecting assets from big corporations and Wall Street to sustainable local enterprises is providing investment capital needed to fuel the new economy.