Economic Impacts of Local Foods

girl holding red tomatoThis project summarizes the impact of the local food industry on Iowa’s economy in connection with efforts of the Regional Food Systems Working Group (RFSWG). It is based on data collected from 2013 and 2014, in cooperation with coordinators of the 15 regional food groups that comprise the statewide RFSWG. This two-year project was the first coordinated, comprehensive statewide attempt to measure actual community impacts associated with regional food system development in Iowa. 

2014 statewide report

2013 statewide reportboy holding beet

Economic impact studies

The Leopold Center has worked with ISU economist Dave Swenson on a number of economic impact studies:

Other studies

 

For more information about RFSWG and the local groups participating in this network, contact Lynn Heuss, assistant coordinator, leheuss@iastate.edu, (515) 201-9405.