| As local-food sales grow into a $20 billion industry, a USA TODAY Network investigation found that state-branding programs designed to inform consumers and support local farmers are deceptive and virtually unregulated. These "buy local" programs purport to connect shoppers with food from their states by affixing logos and stickers to products. Yet most state food-branding programs certify products as "local" even if half the ingredients come from another state or country.
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