Just where does local food live? Assessing farmers’ markets in the United States

Abstract

Participation in the local food movement has grown dramatically in the United States, with the farmers' market being one of its most widespread and heavily promoted forums. Proponents argue that the interactions and transactions that occur at farmers' markets benefit market participants, but, more importantly, have broader benefits for the neighborhoods they are located in and for society itself. The promise of these benefits raises several important questions, notably: where are farmers' markets located and who has access to them? While many works have examined the characteristics of individuals who frequent markets, few have examined the areas and inhabitants hosting these markets. Using data from the USDA and US Census, I explore the location of farmers' markets areas across several geographic measurements, including at the national, census division, and census tract levels. Results reveal the following: (1) Perhaps not being as white of a movement as critics have suggested, farmers' markets are almost exclusively a middle to middle-upper class phenomenon; and (2) Farmers' markets are very unlikely to be found in neighborhoods with lower than average socio-economic statuses indicators, in specific divisions of the US, and in rural areas. Results from this research further illuminate our understanding of where farmers' markets are located throughout United States while presenting some interesting questions for the local food movement as it continues to moves forward.

Examining the Role of Local Products in Rural Development in the Light of Consumer Preferences—Results of a Consumer Survey from Hungary

“…However, a larger population, and potentially higher income levels and population densities presumably result in higher absolute territorial demand than, a small-village area. Based on the findings of Schupp [37], and the experiences of a previous study [38] (whose area overlaps the current sample area), SFSC channels (such as well-functioning producers' markets) are rare in a rural or less developed area. According to Low and Vogel [27], local food trade has mostly provided opportunities in urban areas for economic development.…”

“…Alternative food systems and short food chains appear in both urban and rural areas, but according to the following sources, their effectiveness in rural economy is questionable. Schupp [37] examined the location of the U.S. producers' markets. In his experience, producers' markets rarely appear in rural areas.…”

Visualizing the social and geographical embeddedness of local food systems

“…Farms involved in direct marketing are more likely to be located in the Northeast or the West Coast, near densely populated urban markets in areas with high median home values (Brown and Miller, 2008;Low and Vogel, 2011). Schupp (2016) finds that farmers markets locate in areas where the neighborhood population has attained higher education levels and a higher percentage identify as white than the national average. Direct market customers are more likely to be middle-aged, middle-income or above, well-educated, suburban women (Brown, 2002;Onianwa et al, 2005;Conner et al, 2010).…”

Examination of Short Supply Chains Based on Circular Economy and Sustainability Aspects

“…In these new Member States, the relatively low willingness to pay for local products hampers the development opportunities for short supply chains [33]. Schupp (2016) [73] examined the location of producers' markets in the United States. According to his experiences, producers' markets are unlikely to appear in rural areas.…”