Local Food Systems as Community and Economic Development in Rural Illinois

Sarah Hultine

Research Assistant, Lab for Community & Economic Development

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Project Team:

Dr. Leslie Cooperband, Principal Investigator, Lab for Community & Economic Development

Pat Curry, University of Illinois Extension

Anne Heinze Silvis, Lab for Community & Economic Development

What is a local or community-based food system?

• Production, processing and consumption tied to a geographic region

• Food policies that promote local food production, processing and consumption

• Widespread access to adequate, affordable and nutritious foods

• Stable base of local, family-owned farms that use sustainable farming practices

• Food and agriculture related businesses that create jobs within community

Local processing

Direct marketing& Local Consumption

Local production

Local Food Systems as Community and Economic Development for Rural Illinois

Research Questions

• How do we build locally based food systems in rural communities?

• What makes a local food system successful? Are there key characteristics within a community that promote local food system activities?

• What are the economic impacts of local food system activities?

• Do community residents’ attitudes about their community influence the success of local food system activities?

• What impact do relationships between producers and food buyers have on a community?

• What information is necessary for local leaders to influence the development of a local food system?

Research Methods• Case Studies

– Fairbury, IL– Central Illinois Farmers’ Markets

• Surveys– Intercept surveys at farmers’ markets and Dave’s Supermarket

(late summer 2005)– Mail surveys to:

• Direct market farmers in 13 county region (Fall 2004)• Institutional food buyers in 13 county region (Fall 2004)• Random sample of residents in 22 county region, oversampled in

case study communities (February 2006)

• Focus groups/Interviews– Focus group with farmers’ market vendors and managers to

define a successful farmers’ market (February 2006)– Interviews with key stakeholders in the Fairbury project,

including business owners and producers (summer 2005, and ongoing)

Economic & Community Development:Key Findings

• Local leaders and government officials are aware and supportive of the farmers’ market.

– In Effingham, 57% responded don’t know, and another 14% disagreed. In the other communities, don’t know responses ranged from 40-53%.

• Local leaders encourage and support business innovation.

– Respondents unsure whether local leaders encourage and support business innovation.

• Farmers’ markets may not be the most viable opportunity for all rural communities: need critical mass of consumers and vendors; consumers want more vendors and variety of products.

Community Survey Farmers' Market

 

Did not purchase local food

Purchased local food Customers

Agree 64.3% 70% 96.1%

Disagree 35.7% 30% 3.9%

• Local food system markets/activities provide a place to socialize.

UrbanRural

Farmers’ Markets

SullivanMetamo

raTaylorvil

leEffingha

m

Bloomington/

Normal

Urbana/ Champai

gn

Population 4,326 2,700 11,427 12,384 110,194 103,913

Year Market Started 2004 2002 2003 1995 1998 1978

Average Number of Food Vendors 4 6 4 5 40 55

Estimated Weekly Customers (peak) 100 300 100 100 3,000 3,000

Median Dollar Amount Spent at Market (survey day)

$7.00 $10.00 $2.00 $6.50 $12.00 $20.00

Location of Market

downtown square

downtown square

downtown square

edge of town, on highway

downtown square

downtown

Rural/Urban Contrasts

0102030405060708090

100

Urban Rural

Agree Disagree

“I visit the farmers’ market strictly to purchase food.”

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Directly fromfarmer **

CSA Roadside farmstand **

Other farmers'market **

U-pick farm

Urban Rural

“Have you purchased locally grown food at other markets this year?”

The Anomaly: Metamora

A rural market, but:

• Urban influences

• Active, engaging manager

• Involved local officials

• Coordination with local businesses

The Fairbury Project

Other Opportunities for Building Local Food Systems in Rural Communities

Fairbury, Illinois Fairbury Sullivan Illinois

Population 3,968 4,326

Median household income

$41,298 $33,197 $46,590

Families below poverty level

3.3% 5.4% 7.8%

% high school degree or higher

78% 78.4% 81.4%

• 1,330 farms in Livingston County in 2002 (7% decrease from 1997)

• Average farm size of 479 acres, increase of 11% since 1997

• Livingston County ranks 4th in state for total value of agricultural products sold.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000. NASS, USDA 2002 Census of Agriculture

Spence Farm, Fairbury IL

Diversity of produce

Integrating heritage breeds of livestock with vegetables

Osage Acres Farm, Fairbury, IL

Dave’s Supermarket, Fairbury, IL

The Fairbury Project• In 2004, total local food store

sales of $850; by 2005, total sales increased 136% to $2,009.

• Additional sales to several restaurants in Fairbury, plus requests from other grocery stores in region.

• 96% of respondents do their primary food shopping at Dave’s

• 85% of customers agree that the business relationship between Dave’s and the local farmers is good for their community.

• Comment from respondent: “Dave’s is definitely a vital part of Fairbury. It’s wonderful to have this quality of store close to home!”

So what do Dave’s customers think?

• We surveyed 73 shoppers at Dave’s in Fall 2005. • Almost 65% have purchased food from the local

farmers’ shelves.• 96% rated the farmers’ products as excellent or

good quality.• 98% said they would recommend the farmers’

products to their friends and family.• 85% said they would buy more products from the

local farmers’ shelves if they were made available.

Community comments

• Chamber of commerce, economic development committee chairperson: “Anyone visiting Spence Farm has to drive through Fairbury – great tourism opportunity for the community.”

• Fairbury mayor: “This is just the tip of the iceberg on what could be done. Fairbury is unique – there is tremendous pride and support for the community. I mention the project when I’m promoting Fairbury to potential businesses.”

“What can you do with leeks?”Building local food systems in your community:

Advice from Fairbury leaders

• Develop public education materials targeted to rural community: “People don’t realize the product they’re getting locally – the concept is not the same in rural areas as in Chicago.”

• Create entrepreneurial workshops- including agricultural businesses

• Encourage cooperation among growers to provide variety of products

• Promote inclusion of rural businesses (including farms) within Chamber of Commerce

• Encourage appreciation of alternative opportunities for agricultural operations

Next Steps

• Continue data collection and analysis– 22 county consumer survey– Visiting farmers’ markets– Direct marketing outlets

• Design educational programs and materials for key participants

• Identify and develop approaches for providing technical assistance

• Publish results

www.communitydevelopment.uiuc.edu