Measuring the Economic Impacts of Local Food Initiatives at the Regional Level

This research effort is aimed at providing technical assistance and economic analysis in support of three other regional or local food production and distribution efforts in Iowa. In particular, this research will use econometric models to help producer groups understand the potential economic impacts that are associated with the introduction of new food production and new food distribution configurations at the regional level. This research helps quantify the potential region-wide economic outcomes when comparing different production and distribution possibilities as compared to some baseline situation, i.e., the status quo.

The foundation for this work began with the "Five-a-Day" research sponsored by the Leopold Center in 2006 that showed the potential statewide economic impacts of increased statewide production of fruits and vegetables to meet a prescribed nutritional goal for Iowans. Those methods will be applied to the regional projects and the particular food and marketing goals and programs that they establish. All of the research ultimately will be presented as sets of case studies. In addition, the techniques of this analysis also will be reported in order to stimulate additional research of this kind in other areas.

Contact:
David Swenson
ISU Dept. of Economics
177 Heady Hall
Ames, IA  50011
515.294.7458
dswenson@iastate.edu