Local Food Systems: Markets, Trends & Federal Programs

Sales of locally produced foods comprise a small, but growing, part of U.S. agricultural sales. The U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) estimates that farm-level value of local food sales totalled about $4.8 million in 2008, about 1.6% of the U.S. market for agricultural products. An estimated total of 107,000 farms were engaged in local food systems, about 5% of all U.S. farms. This book provides background on local and regional food systems, focusing on available data on direct-to-consumer sales, farmers’ markets, farm-to-school programs, community-supported agriculture, and community gardens. Also discussed are the available resources within existing federal programs administered by USDA and other agencies that may be applied to support local food systems as well as the legislative options and proposals that will be part of the next farm bill debate.