Rebuilding local food systems: marketing and economic implications for communities

Abstract

The research community has identified value chains as one of the most successful ways for small and mid-scale distributors, focused on providing locally sources foods to structure their businesses. The concept of value chains is still relatively new, so by conducting case studies of successful value chains this thesis provides insight into the best practices for new value chains, organized based on the value chain's main customer. After conducting case studies, the next step was to address one of the claims made by local food proponents: that increased local food consumption has a positive impact on the economy of a community. The local school food procurement program studied in this paper provides evidence that yes, the direct impact on the local economy is positive when there is an increase in local food purchasing. But that impact is quite small and may or may not cover the cost of investment necessary to build the necessary infrastructure. Moreover, that positive impact is dependent on some important linkages between the new food distribution enterprise and other economic actors (workers, owners) in the community.