Eating local supports local farmers and food producers and Montana State University is trying to do its part by buying local.

MSU hosted a food bazaar Tuesday where local producers and farmers brought their wares for sampling and students got a chance to see what foods are available from around the area.

"Our goal is to buy more local products at MSU. By having the food bazaar, we can judge how important it is to students and judging by the turnout it is," said MSU marketing director Deborah Crawford.

While it's not likely that MSU will get to 100 percent local food products in their various outlets, the school is making its best effort to increase the percentage of local purchases.     

One example of the products MSU is buying is Hot Mamma's Salsa, which is made in Bozeman using as many local ingredients as possible.

"We get our produce from Butte produce and they do everything they can to buy local. Montana is rural and that makes it tough to distribute, and the jalapeños are really tricky in the winter," said Diane Loomis, creator of Hot Mamma's Salsa.

When it comes to taste, the discriminating agree that buying food close to home is the way to go.

"I think it's really, really good. It's local and organic and it's just really, really good," said Molly Taylor, a student at the Irving School.

A number of people are attempting to put together co-ops so smaller producers can join forces and share expenses like insurance, license fees, and marketing costs. More local farm co-operatives would allow the school to buy more products in the quantities it needs to serve the student body.

- Mark Martello reporting for Z7 in Bozeman.