Eat Local Sudbury is munching away at its fundraising goal, one bite at a time.

The local food co-operative is hoping to reach the $25,000 mark through crowd funding to help carry out its support for northern farmers and the food economy.

“ELS provides a service no one else really does in the area,” said Peggy Baillie, managing director of the co-operative.

The downtown storefront provides year-round markets to farmers to sell to, and for consumers to buy from, connecting the community through food.

“Food is such a common bond,” Baillie said.

ELS is also planning to branch out to offer a delivery service supported through their website, all while keeping a hyper-local focus.

According to Baillie, 85 per cent of products offered at the shop come from within 150 miles of it. Keeping food local means keeping money in the community.

“We're helping to build our local food market,” she said.

Anyone interested in supporting ELS is welcome to make a donation or become a member of the co-operative. For a $25 annual fee, members can vote at ELS meetings and they also receive a discount on food.

Donations are also being accepted throughout the crowd funding campaign, which runs from now until March 27. To make a donation or learn more, visit www.eatlocalsudbury.com.