Local Food Systems

Powerpoint presention addresses the meaning of "local food," the relationship of local food to the U.S. food system, local food demand, marketing outlets, the future of local foods, and market growth.

The "first-ever survey conducted by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service to produce benchmark data about local food marketing practices" reports data on direct marketed sales of food; sales by marketing practice; direct-to-consumer marketing practices; location of production and type of products sold directly to consumers; demographics; and farm level practices for farms which market directly.

USDA's Web portal helps connect farmers, ranchers, and food businesses with USDA programs, research, and educational materials to meet the growing consumer demand for locally produced food. Resources include: funding options, data and reports, maps and directories, toolkits and handouts, and more.

Links to USDA Local Food Directories and local foods topical publications and presentations, including those on direct-to-consumer marketing. AMS works to improve market access for operators of small and medium-size farms.

Grant programs administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA. Find resources to assist in the application process and details for specific grants. Grants of interest for local food systems may include the Local Food Promotion Program, the Farmers Market Promotion Program, and the Regional Food System Partnerships program.

Calculators, toolkits, guides, and other resources to support growing local food systems.

"Local Foods, Local Places helps cities and towns across the country protect the environment and human health by engaging with local partners to reinvest in existing neighborhoods as they develop local food systems."

"ERS provides comprehensive overview of local food systems, including alternative definitions of local food, estimates market size and reach, characteristics of local consumers and producers, and early indications of the economic and health impacts of local food systems."

Reports include Trends in U.S. Local and Regional Food Systems: A Report to Congress (2015) and Local Food Systems: Concepts, Impacts, and Issues (2010). 

This best practice Toolkit is made up of seven modules that cover food system planning, assessment, and evaluation. It has been created to "guide and enhance the capacity of local organizations to make more deliberate and credible measurements of local and small-scale economic activity and other ancillary benefits."

Provides background information and data on local and regional food systems; discusses alternative definitions of the term, "local"; and describes types of local food businesses and operations.  Also, "highlights available resources within existing federal programs...that may be applied to support local food systems;" describes related initiatives of the Obama Administration, and reviews legislative options and proposals related to local and regional food systems, as part of the 2012 farm bill process.