I am a huge advocate of buying local during the Holidays and supporting rural economies. We have a great opportunity in the Midsouth to support any number of crops and products produced in this area.

It is always nice to see the Mississippi Farm Bureau’s booth at the Midsouth Farm and Gin Show. It features items for sale from the Mississippi farm community. And it’s amazing that there are so many products available direct from the producer.

I always stock up on rice, barbeque rub, pecans and tea when they are in town, but there are other resources for locally produced food items.

You may want to keep an eye out for local specialty food in your neighborhood market. I’ve found the semi-famous Hoover Sauce in small grocery stores throughout the Delta.

I have picked up Creole Foods Jambalaya mix in Tennessee stores and smoked sausage from Cooper Meat Packers, a Mississippi product, in Arkansas markets. I’ve even found Jambalaya Girl Louisiana gumbo packets in Costco.

It’s worth checking the label to see where your dollars go.

While local butcher shops are less plentiful than they were years ago, you’d be surprised by how many are still in operation or have popped up in smaller communities. They are great for not only meat products but for sauces, pickles and self-contained meals.

The Flora Butcher, in Flora, Miss., is worth a detour outside of Jackson, so is the Delta Meat Market in Cleveland, Miss. They are both run by butchers who are masters and artisans in their craft.

When I’m in Greenwood, Miss., I generally run by the Mississippi Gift Company to see what they have in stock. Along with local pottery and gift ideas, they have on hand many food products – cake mixes, appetizer mixes, crackers, sauces and much more – all local, or at least Mississippi made. They are easy to find on the web and ship just about anywhere.

Two Brooks Farm in Mississippi offers several varieties of sustainably grown rice for sale, including some unique red and black rices. War Eagle Mill in Arkansas has many kinds of flour and corn meal.

Farmers markets are always good places to stop, not just for food but for a wide range of gift or household products. Many are seasonal, but several have special holiday events around Christmastime.

Stategifts.com is a good place to head on the web for a broad range of state-centric gifts. They don’t list everything that is available in each state, but it does feature some pretty interesting food and gift items.

If you’re in Greenville, Miss., pick up some tamales. Stop by or order a country ham from Clifty Farms in Paris, Tenn. Get some crawfish from any number of places in Louisiana or a smoked turkey in Arkansas.

In the process you are supporting local farmers and communities.