Local food systems : concepts, impacts, and issues / Steve Martinez [and others].

Format:

Book

Government document

Contributor:

Martinez, Steve (Steve W.)

United States. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service

Series:

Economic research report (United States. Department of Agriculture. Economic Research Service) ; no. 97.

Economic research report ; no. 97

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Local foods--United States.

Local foods.

Farmers' markets--United States.

Farmers' markets.

Community-supported agriculture--United States.

Community-supported agriculture.

Food--United States--Marketing.

Food.

Food--Marketing.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (v, 80 pages) : color illustrations, color maps.

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, [2010]

Summary:

This comprehensive overview of local food systems 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. 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.

Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed Aug. 18, 2010).

"May 2010."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 53-68).

Electronic reproduction. Washington, D.C : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Other Format:

Print version: Local food systems.

OCLC:

643010592