Farm viability poses a grave challenge to the sustainability of agriculture and food systems: number acres in production continues decline as majority farms earn negative net income. Two related often overlapping marketing strategies, (i) locally grown foods (ii) distribution at farmers markets, can directly enhance system by improving farm profitability long-term viability, well contributing an array ancillary benefits. We present results representative Michigan telephone survey, which...

Abstract Locally grown food is gaining popularity and increasing its prevalence holds potential for broad social, economic environmental benefits. Season extension technologies such as hoop houses offer a solution to limited growing seasons, major constraint in many areas, enhancing efforts supply locally food. This paper discusses research conducted at three Michigan farmers' markets, locations where farmers utilizing currently sell their produce. The measures consumers' willingness buy...

ABSTRACT Transition to a more local, sustainable food system has the potential help address many chronic problems facing communities across country. We present results of an input-output analysis for Michigan measuring income and job impacts scenario in which residents meet USDA fruit vegetable consumption guidelines by eating seasonally available grown fresh produce. Our study finds that almost 2000 jobs $200 million new would be created. relate this initiatives on state, regional,...

ABSTRACT Michigan, like many states, is experiencing a number of deep and persistent problems, including high rates obesity, unemployment, fiscal deficits farmland loss. This paper develops conceptual framework, showing how these problems are related to options available for food agricultural systems. Community-based systems (CFS) lie at the center causal loops which may reinforce series potentially positive or negative outcomes. We suggest interventions that would lead more community-based...

The USDA's National Organic Program (NOP), with its unified definition and labeling requirements, holds great promise for increasing commerce in decreasing transaction costs associated purchasing organic food. However, the label meaning must both be well understood reflect traits consumers want if this is to realized. This paper reports results of a survey experimental auction on consumers' preferences standards. On one hand, USDA NOP's Final Rule broadly conforms consumer regarding what...

Many scholars and activists are interested in the potential for school-based childhood nutrition programs to positively impact U.S. agri-food system. This paper explores efforts of a national K-12 school food collaborative procure more sustainably grown healthful products. After review literature on transaction cost theory procurement, examines strategic partnerships value chain framework meet procurement change goals. Results from qualitative study two participating districts suggest that...

Farm-to-institution (FTI) initiatives have the potential to further development of local food systems, create new markets for farmers, and increase availability farm products. Yet complexity scale FTI pose challenges. For many scholars practitioners, systems' significance social change lie in direct relationships between producers consumers. This article describes an empirical study that examined Michigan. Three key findings emerged. First, trust operate throughout even large complex systems...

Abstract Local food purchasing programs at institutions such as K-12 schools, colleges and hospitals offer benefits including supporting farms local economies, encouraging more healthful eating habits of patrons fostering closer connections between farmers consumers. Increasing in number expanding breadth, Farm to Institution (FTI) markets are promising outlets that may fulfill social economic motivations for farmers. However, significant challenges barriers have kept many from...

Relatively low-cost season extension structures have the potential to contribute farm economic viability in temperate climates by providing a means continue sales beyond limits of outdoor-only field production. These structures, commonly called hoophouses, high tunnels, passive solar greenhouses, or unheated allow for heat-tolerant (warm season) crops on both ends production time frame and at winter harvesting cold-tolerant (cool crops. In this study, results are presented from multiyear...

The problem of serving more healthful, local, and sustainably grown foods in school meals has many elements a "wicked problem" therefore an engaged, participatory approach is essential. This article discusses efforts by national farm-to-school project, School Food FOCUS, its to engage districts supply chain research. It describes the methods, activities, findings project initial impacts on changes procurement practices food availability. concludes with overarching observations efficacy this...

The agri-food system plays a vital role in the socioeconomic well-being of USA. In rural Vermont, setting for this study, contributions are even larger. Agri-food businesses contribute an estimated 12% state's gross domestic product and comprise 13% private sector establishments. community economic development potential fostering successful food entrepreneurs suggests higher education educating next generation entrepreneurs. This study explores gaps entrepreneurial knowledge skills. Using...

A movement toward relocalizing communities' sources of food has been sparked in part by an urge to mitigate the adverse social, economic, and health impacts associated with a globalized system. One example approach designed these effects is development of, consumer participation in, alternative systems (AFS). Factors that drive AFS are largely unexplored. This article uses interviews Vermont deepen our understanding AFS. We find stacked beliefs about participation, suggesting barriers such...

Hard cider production has increased annually by 50% between 2009 and 2014 in the United States while apple ( Malus × domestica ) orchards managed exclusively for apples are rare. Cider have unique flavor, acid, tannin characteristics suited to only hard production. Demand fruit makers represents an emerging market growers opportunity diversify their marketing systems. The goal of this study was compare requirements with present availability identify opportunities challenges growth both...

Institutional food service operations have shown increasing interest in locally grown foods, and are providing a business opportunity for farmers distributors. The purpose of this paper is to present discuss the results implications survey assessing institutional Vermont. We used 4 P’s (price, product, place, promotion) Marketing Mix framework highlight marketing strategies distributors wanting increase their sales local institutions.

As organic agriculture evolves from a movement to an industry, the label is increasingly disconnected founding spirit of organic, which now more associated with broader term sustainable agriculture. Increased competition due commodification poses challenges farmers in Northeast U.S. This paper discusses options for creating and maintaining niche markets by providing information on process attributes consumers who wish support food system, including labeling alternatives role government. It...

The pasture-based model of agriculture potentially offers opportunities for small- and medium-scale livestock producers in local, regional, national markets. Our data indicate that many consumers value the attributes associated with locally produced pasture-raised products. We used ordered probit binary analyses these to identify demographic segments showed greatest interest attributes. This suggests a broad education marketing effort articulate salient differentiate increase availability...

Numerous studies have measured the economic impact of increased consumption locally grown foods, and many advocates set goals for increasing foods to a given percentage. In this paper, we first apply previously developed methods state Vermont, measure quantity value food that would be consumed if USDA Dietary Guidelines were followed. We also assess potential meet these guidelines, finding meeting dietary guidelines with local, seasonal diet bring benefit, in case, US$148 million income...

In this paper we report the results of a field test an economic impact toolkit recently commissioned by U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA). The was created as guide for food systems organizations to frame issues and collect analyze data in order credibly measure other benefits their initiatives. To toolkit, applied it contribution study local food-buying program large regional hospital Vermont. Our findings indicate that working with dedicated motivated community partner, were able agree on...

There is an increasing array of land-grant, nonprofit, and other academic programs intended to support the development food system enterprises programs. However, research track consumers' evolving preferences behaviors within these systems measure policy outcomes any public investments in lagging. This commentary represents a compilation opinions insights from those who are interested exploring priorities for economic, marketing, supply-chain aspects local systems. The that emerge framed...