Measuring Current Consumption of Locally Grown Foods in Vermont: Methods for Baselines and Targets
Numerous studies have measured the economic impact of increased consumption of locally grown foods, and many advocates have set goals for increasing consumption of locally grown foods to a given percentage. In this paper, we first apply previously developed methods to the state of Vermont, to measur...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems
2016-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/175 |
| _version_ | 1797763066075545600 |
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| author | David Conner Florence Becot Doug Hoffer Ellen Kahler Scott Sawyer Linda Berlin |
| author_facet | David Conner Florence Becot Doug Hoffer Ellen Kahler Scott Sawyer Linda Berlin |
| author_sort | David Conner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Numerous studies have measured the economic impact of increased consumption of locally grown foods, and many advocates have set goals for increasing consumption of locally grown foods to a given percentage. In this paper, we first apply previously developed methods to the state of Vermont, to measure the quantity and value of food that would be consumed if the USDA Dietary Guidelines were followed. We also assess the potential of locally grown foods to meet these guidelines, finding that meeting dietary guidelines with a local, seasonal diet would bring economic benefit, in this case, US$148 million in income for Vermont farmers. A missing piece of information has been: what is the current percentage of locally grown food being consumed in a given city, state, or region? The Farm to Plate Strategic Plan, a 10-year plan for strengthening Vermont's food system, attempted to answer this question. To date, we know of no credible set of methods to precisely measure the percentage of food consumed that is locally grown. We collect data from a variety of sources to estimate current local consumption of food. We were able to measure and account for about US$52 million in local food expenditures, equal to about 2.5% of all food expenditures in Vermont. We then discuss limitations and suggestions for improving measurement methods moving forward. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T19:36:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-33a3330ebccb48c785424c923130bb01 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2152-0801 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T19:36:14Z |
| publishDate | 2016-08-01 |
| publisher | Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
| spelling | doaj.art-33a3330ebccb48c785424c923130bb012023-08-02T04:08:14ZengLyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food SystemsJournal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development2152-08012016-08-013310.5304/jafscd.2013.033.004175Measuring Current Consumption of Locally Grown Foods in Vermont: Methods for Baselines and TargetsDavid Conner0Florence Becot1Doug HofferEllen Kahler2Scott Sawyer3Linda Berlin4University of VermontUniversity of VermontVermont Sustainable Jobs FundVermont Sustainable Jobs FundUniversity of Vermont; Sustainable Agriculture CouncilNumerous studies have measured the economic impact of increased consumption of locally grown foods, and many advocates have set goals for increasing consumption of locally grown foods to a given percentage. In this paper, we first apply previously developed methods to the state of Vermont, to measure the quantity and value of food that would be consumed if the USDA Dietary Guidelines were followed. We also assess the potential of locally grown foods to meet these guidelines, finding that meeting dietary guidelines with a local, seasonal diet would bring economic benefit, in this case, US$148 million in income for Vermont farmers. A missing piece of information has been: what is the current percentage of locally grown food being consumed in a given city, state, or region? The Farm to Plate Strategic Plan, a 10-year plan for strengthening Vermont's food system, attempted to answer this question. To date, we know of no credible set of methods to precisely measure the percentage of food consumed that is locally grown. We collect data from a variety of sources to estimate current local consumption of food. We were able to measure and account for about US$52 million in local food expenditures, equal to about 2.5% of all food expenditures in Vermont. We then discuss limitations and suggestions for improving measurement methods moving forward.https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/175ConsumptionEconomic BenefitsLocal FoodMeasuring Methods |
| spellingShingle | David Conner Florence Becot Doug Hoffer Ellen Kahler Scott Sawyer Linda Berlin Measuring Current Consumption of Locally Grown Foods in Vermont: Methods for Baselines and Targets Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development Consumption Economic Benefits Local Food Measuring Methods |
| title | Measuring Current Consumption of Locally Grown Foods in Vermont: Methods for Baselines and Targets |
| title_full | Measuring Current Consumption of Locally Grown Foods in Vermont: Methods for Baselines and Targets |
| title_fullStr | Measuring Current Consumption of Locally Grown Foods in Vermont: Methods for Baselines and Targets |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measuring Current Consumption of Locally Grown Foods in Vermont: Methods for Baselines and Targets |
| title_short | Measuring Current Consumption of Locally Grown Foods in Vermont: Methods for Baselines and Targets |
| title_sort | measuring current consumption of locally grown foods in vermont methods for baselines and targets |
| topic | Consumption Economic Benefits Local Food Measuring Methods |
| url | https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/175 |
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