ERS Explores Local Food Systems

WASHINGTONUSDAs Economic Research Service released a comprehensive overview of local food systems. Titled Local Food Systems: Concepts, Impacts and Issues, the report explores alternative definitions of local food, estimates market size and reach, describes the characteristics of local consumers and producers, and examines early indications of the economic and health impacts of local food systems.

According to ERS: There is no consensus on a definition of local or local food systems in terms of the geographic distance between production and consumption. But defining local based on marketing arrangements, such as farmers selling directly to consumers at regional farmers markets or to schools, is well recognized. Statistics suggest that local food markets account for a small, but growing, share of U.S. agricultural production. For smaller farms, direct marketing to consumers accounts for a higher percentage of their sales than for larger farms. Findings are mixed on the impact of local food systems on local economic development and better nutrition levels among consumers, and sparse literature is so far inconclusive about whether localization reduces energy use or greenhouse gas emissions.

Click here to download the full report.