Swenson, David A.

March 2010

 This research considers the potential statewide and regional economic values that might accumulate
to farmers and regional economies if there was an increase in the production of 28 types of fresh fruits and vegetables for local consumption. The states studied were Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Two separate analyses were conducted. The first provides state-only estimates where the economic values are compiled considering each state’s farmers and each state’s consumption as a distinct and closed study area. The second analysis evaluates individual counties within the six-state region considering both their capacity and potential to produce fresh fruits or vegetables to serve medium to large metropolitan regional markets with populations in excess of 250,000 persons. This second analysis is indifferent to state boundaries.

Both research scenarios also presuppose that 50 percent of the local fruit and vegetable production
will be marketed via producer-owned fruit and vegetable stores. The economic values of those activities also are partially estimated.

Keywords: local foods, economic impact