Released Monday by the Utah Department of Agriculture, the findings indicate that among Utahns' most pressing concerns is the safety of the food they eat.

Food safety tied with the economy for the No. 2 spot among important issues, according to the survey of residents living in Salt Lake, Davis, Utah and Weber counties. Top-rated education, along with crime, health care and the environment were other important concerns.

Although nearly two-thirds of the respondents said they had never lived on a farm, 91 percent said they considered farming and ranching important and 72 percent supported livestock grazing on public lands.

"That's an encouraging message to the thousands of farmers and ranchers in our state," said Agricultural Commissioner Leonard Blackham. "We're also pleased to see the support for livestock grazing, since cattle and sheep ranching are so important to rural Utah's economy."

The survey, conducted in June of 210 people by Dan Jones and Associates, also found that when Utahns shop at the grocery store, 96 percent look for freshness in making their selections, followed by nutrition, 85 percent, and price at 82 percent. The survey has a margin error of 7 percent.

Another draw for shoppers is locally produced food. Seventy-four percent said they stopped at a farmers market or roadside stand at least once a month last summer and nearly 50 percent said local products were important when they shopped for food.

Utahns can help keep farmers and ranchers in business by looking for locally grown food under the Utah's Own label, said the Department of Agriculture's marketing director, Jed Christensen. The label also identifies food manufactured in the state, such as milk, cheese, ice cream, cereals, eggs, honey, flour, salt, candy and jams.

In addition, grocery chains that include Harmons and Associated Foods, stock foods under the Utah's Own label, and Albertsons and Smith's sell locally produced goods.

As Utahns voiced their support for agriculture, they also worried that farmlands are giving way to housing tracts. About 72 percent said they thought continued development would eventually impact their food supply.

"Along with supporting agriculture, Utahns should also support open spaces and other ways to preserve farmland," said Christensen. "Once it's paved over, we can't get those farmlands back."

dawn@sltrib.com

State survey

* Say farming and ranching are important to the state, 91 percent.

* Say they shopped at a farmers market or produce stand, 74 percent

* Worry that loss of farmland will harm the food supply, 72 percent

* Want cattle and sheep to graze on public lands, 72 percent.

* Have never lived on a farm or ranch, 61 percent.

Source: Utah Department of Agriculture and Food