150,000 small farms have shut down in the last decade. Not struggling. Not slowing down. Just gone. And most of us? We don’t even notice. We grab groceries. We order takeout. We eat. We move on. And when I thought about what that actually meant— that maybe one day our favorite farmers market in Coconut Grove wouldn’t be there anymore? That hit different. So I knew I had to start making intentional choices—real ones. Not just saying I support local food, but actually living it. So this year, I made a New Year’s resolution—to support and eat local. Because here’s the thing—where we spend our money shapes the food system we live in. Buying local isn’t just about fresher food—it’s about keeping small farms alive, strengthening our communities, and making sure we still have real, sustainable food grown with care. Now, what did that actually mean for me at the time? Before, we’d grab most of our groceries from Sprouts and hit the farmers market whenever it was convenient. Now? We’re making a real effort to buy from local farms and farmers markets as often as possible instead of relying on grocery stores. Not just that—we’re also choosing restaurants and cafes that source locally whenever we can. We’re trying our best to go all in. And let me tell you… it’s harder than I thought. And that needs to change. That’s what got me exploring what it really means to eat local, how it impacts our communities, and what’s stopping more people from making that shift. Because honestly? I used to think food was just… food. Just something to eat to get me through the day. I wasn’t eating candy for breakfast or anything… but you know what I’m saying. I never thought about where it came from, who made it, or why any of it even mattered.
I started thinking more about what I was eating, where it came from, and the impact my choices had. And the more I thought about it, the more I started questioning everything. Including the business I built. I’m Darius Bounds, the CEO and founder of Joolep—a platform I built to help people discover great food and drink specials. But over time, something changed—and the passion I had for my startup started to fade. So… let me tell you why.
My wife—who is a holistic health coach—always encouraged me to be more mindful of what I put into my body. She let me do my thing, but over time… my thing wasn’t necessarily OUR thing anymore. And that hit a little different. At first, I didn’t think much of it— Other than being a little annoyed that I was slowly losing my drinking partner, Or that she usually had something to say about what I’d choose for dinner when we went out. But over time, things started to shift. My weekend drinking slowed down. And my awareness of what I was consuming started to take over. I started noticing how food actually affected me—what gave me energy vs. what slowed me down. And it all started at home— We began making intentional choices about what we ate, prioritizing quality over convenience. My wife started a garden last year, and now we use fresh herbs from it daily. And this year, we’re making it a point to take a trip to Glaser Organic Farmers Market in Coconut Grove for produce and Southwest Ranches for our weekly pickup of meat, poultry, and dairy—every Saturday. That shift has now extended beyond our kitchen into how we choose the restaurants we support—like bakeries, cafés, and restaurants that source locally from nearby farms. Over time, I even started paying more attention to the coffee I bought—where it came from, how it was grown, and when it was roasted. Now, if a company shares details about their farming practices on their website… I’ll actually take the time to look. Yes, higher-quality food sometimes costs more, but the difference in taste, health benefits, and the impact we’re making? Undeniable.
Over time, I started asking a lot more questions about our local food ecosystems. Then you start to wonder—why do we know more about fast food menus than the farms in our own city? Why does eating food sourced locally feel harder than it should be? And… if I was changing the way I ate, why was I still running a platform that didn’t reflect that? Joolep, as it existed, no longer aligned with what I truly cared about. It wasn’t something I was excited to talk about anymore. The passion I once had for promoting food and drink specials—mainly alcohol-driven experiences—kept fading the more my curiosity for eating and buying local grew. I wanted to tell a different story. But making that shift wasn’t easy. I spent a long time thinking:
Do I really want to walk away from what I built?
How do I pivot into something completely new?
Where do I even start?
So toward the end of 2024, I made the heartbreaking—yet exciting—decision to put an end to what Joolep was and pivot into new territory. Uncharted. Uncertain. But something I’m eager to explore.
Which leads to why I’m launching this series—to document my journey of supporting and eating local, but through a different lens. I’m not just here to say “eat local, support local”—I want to understand: What does that actually mean? What are the challenges behind it? And… what does it take to make eating local an everyday thing? I want to take a closer look. Now, I’m stepping into an entirely new journey— To understand the people, the processes, and the passion that fuel our local food systems. Who are the farmers, chefs, and artisans redefining what it means to eat well? What challenges do they face? And how can we, as consumers, make choices that support them and, in turn, build healthier, more sustainable communities? These are the stories that need to be told.
This journey is about more than just food. It’s about sustainability, ethics, and celebrating the people who pour their passion into what they do. For me, supporting local isn’t just a choice—it’s a connection. It’s knowing where my food comes from, understanding the care behind it, and appreciating the people who make it possible. It’s changed the way I eat. The way I think. And even the way I live. And once you experience that shift, there’s no going back.
You start to notice things you never did before—
Eating fruits and veggies in season just hits different.
You feel the difference—more energy, better health, real nourishment.
You start paying attention to labels, asking questions, making intentional choices.
And over time, you begin to taste the difference when food is made with care— When the hands that grow it respect the land. When the people behind it believe in something bigger than themselves. When we choose to source locally, we aren’t just getting fresher, better-tasting food
— We’re keeping traditions alive, supporting families, and making sure our communities stay connected to the land.
I don’t know exactly where this journey will take me— Who I’ll meet, or what stories I’ll uncover. But I do know these conversations need to happen. Because when we invest in our local food ecosystem, we invest in each other.
We keep small farms alive, protecting the future of real food.
We reduce our reliance on industrial food systems that prioritize profit over people.
We create a food culture built on quality, care, and connection—one that values people over convenience.
This is about raising awareness, advocating for change, And giving a voice to the people who make it all possible. It’s about choosing to care, to support, and to respect.
If this resonated with you—even a little— Start small. Go out and buy produce from a local farm. Or Support a restaurant that sources locally. Because every choice adds up. And if you’re with me on this journey, let’s keep the conversation going. Subscribe. Follow. Share. Because food isn’t just what’s on our plate— It’s a choice. It’s a movement. It’s our future.
