Category Archives: buy local

economic benefits and measurement error

Posted on February 22, 2013 by admin

I am attending the annual project directors’ meeting for the Small and Medium Sized Farms research grants, awarded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.  The meeting consists of a mixture of ‘big picture’ talks by the NIFA program … Continue reading →

Posted in buy local, food system, multiplier, regional food systems | 2 Comments

food miles

Posted on February 20, 2013 by admin

The general interpretation of “food miles” is intuitively appealing – the shorter the distance your food travels, the better.  Like everything else in life, this is not guaranteed to be true.  In some ways, low food miles are better: food … Continue reading →

Posted in buy local, food labels, food miles | 1 Comment

In Memphis!

Posted on September 20, 2012 by admin

I am at the Small Farm Conference in Memphis TN. This is my first trip to Memphis, and last night I saw a lot of motorcycles and ate some heart-stopping food (meaning high in saturated fat) with colleagues at Blues … Continue reading →

Posted in beginning farmers, buy local, food system, regional food systems | 2 Comments

in Northern California – just for fun

Posted on August 12, 2012 by admin

I’ve been traveling around the Bay Area (will post on that tomorrow), and right now I am in Mendocino County. We’re staying at a small inn that has chickens and a garden.  Tom, one of the owners, took a group … Continue reading →

Posted in buy local, California, food system | Leave a comment

farmers markets in Manhattan

Posted on July 6, 2012 by admin

This summer, I’m continuing my quest to understand the food environment in Manhattan, NY.  Two food studies students – Siobhan Wallace and Leanne Brown – are working with me to catalog the availability of food (including prices) in the farmers … Continue reading →

Posted in buy local, farmers markets, food availability, Manhattan NY, NYC | 2 Comments

keeping local dollars in communities – does it matter?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by admin

“Buy local” is the mantra of many, who state that spending money locally provides significant economic benefits. I’ve been thinking about this concept for some time now. To be honest, I struggle with the notion, because I think in terms … Continue reading →

Posted in buy local, multiplier | Leave a comment