3rd Governor’s Summit on Local Food and Agriculture:

Maximizing Montana’s Agriculture Opportunity

October 23-24, 2026

Governor’s Summits on Local Food & Agriculture bring together Montanans from all sectors to assess the current state of local food and farming, identify opportunities to strengthen the food system, and develop networks and action plans that support future growth. 

The 2026 Summit – only the third event in 30 years – is hosted by Grow Montana Food Policy Coalition, in partnership with the Montana Department of Agriculture and the Governor’s Office, and will focus on designing a strategic roadmap to increase Montana markets for Montana-produced food from its current 3% to at least 33% by 2033 (the 33×33 for Montana Initiative). 

Why does this matter? 

Montana residents spent $5.2 billion on food in 2021, yet only $158 million (about 3%) was spent on food produced in the state. Increasing that share to 33% would redirect hundreds of millions of dollars into Montana’s economy each year. Local food spending has a strong ripple effect: for every $1 spent, an estimated $0.47 of additional economic activity is generated. According to the USDA, farmers can retain up to four to five times more of the food dollar when selling through local channels.

These gains would largely benefit rural communities and small to mid-sized producers, keeping more money and meaningful work rooted in Montana. It diversifies farm income and strengthens food security by creating shorter, more adaptable supply chains. During COVID-19, local markets like CSAs and food hubs proved more resilient and accessible than national distributors, helping communities access food when store shelves were empty. 

Join the effort to get more Montana food on all Montana plates!