Mapping local foods: evidence from two English regions

Abstract

PurposeThis paper sets out to engage with current debate over local foods and the emergence of what has been called an alternative food economy and to examine the distribution of local food activity in the South West and West Midlands regions of England.Design/methodology/approachDatabases on local food activity were constructed for each region from secondary sources. The data were mapped by means of choropleth mapping at postcode district level.FindingsAlthough local food activity is flourishing in the South West and, to a lesser extent, the West Midlands, it is unevenly distributed. Concentrations occur in both regions. These may relate to a variety of factors, including: proximity to urban centres and particular trunk roads, landscape designations and the geography of farming types. The products that tend to predominate – horticulture, dairy, meat and poultry – can either be sold directly to consumers with little or no processing, or remain readily identifiable and defining ingredients after being processed.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings require testing through a larger‐scale survey using primary data. Many local food producers also supply conventional markets. Further research is required into their reasons for doing so and into whether the local food sector can become a significant alternative to conventional food supply chains.Originality/valueThe paper maps local food activity in England on a larger scale than attempted hitherto. It contributes to debate over the alternative food economy and provides a basis for further empirical research.

From turf to table: Grass seed to edible grains in the Willamette Valley

“…Eating locally has been endorsed in popular literature by authors such as Michael Pollan (2006) and Barbara Kingsolver (Kingsolver, Hopp, & Kingsolver, 2007), as well as in a growing body of research promoting local food and assessing community food production and consumption capacities (see Allen, FitzSimmons, Goodman, & Warner, 2003;Colasanti & Hamm, 2010;Delind, 2006;Feagan, 2007;Feenstra, 1997;Giombolini, Chambers, Schlegel, & Dunne, 2010;Herrin & Gussow, 1989;Hinrichs, 2000;Hinrichs, 2003;Ilbery, Watts, & Simpson, 2006;Marsden, 1995;Selfa & Qazi, 2005). However, recent studies have shown that current local food production may be insufficient to meet local food needs (Desjardins, MacRae, & Schumilas, 2009;Giombolini et al, 2010;Peters, Bills, Lembo, Wilkins, & Fick, 2008).…”

Enhancing Adaptive Capacity in Food Systems: Learning at Farmers' Markets in Sweden

“…The Stockholm farmers' market is located in an "alternative" area (cf. Ilbery et al 2006), whereas the Örebro market is located in a mixed area. Neither of the markets is located so as to attract the attention of the minority/low-income populations of the cities, and there is no outspoken intention to attract this group of consumers.…”

“…Indeed, customers at farmers' markets have a higher level of education and a higher income than the average citizen (Hunt 2007). The presence of people with "alternative" lifestyles might also be associated with a concentration of local food businesses (Ilbery et al 2006). As we shall see, the farmers' markets described in this study were no different.…”

A Regional Economics–Based Research Agenda for Local Food Systems

“…Ilbery, Watts, Simpson, Gilg and Little (2006) explored the extent to which food producers, processors, and retailers were involved in the production of local foods in the Southwest and Midlands regions of England. Using a geographical analysis, they determined that LFSs tended to cluster in certain areas.…”