Between Global and Local: Exploring Regional Food Systems from the Perspectives of Four Communities in the U.S. Northeast

Abstract

Emphasis on local foods and local food systems has often meant that the importance of other scales goes unrecognized or underappreciated. While each scale has limitations, some food system experts now assert the benefits of the regional scale for its ability to foster a more sufficient, diverse, affordable, and resilient food system. This paper contributes to this debate by exploring people's perceptions of regionally produced foods. Seven focus groups were conducted with a total of 51 participants across four locations in the U.S. Northeast. Topics discussed included the importance of knowing where food is sourced, how people described their region, personal connections to the region, globalization of food, importance of food origin, perceived benefits and drawbacks of regional foods, and the sense of efficacy and engagement involving food. While many participants were familiar with the concept of the local food system, their perceptions of the regional scale were weaker, less formed, and more divergent. These focus groups provide foundational insights into emerging consumer definitions and values related to regional food systems, which may help develop appropriately targeted messages to reinforce regional benefits.

Definitions, Sources and Self-Reported Consumption of Regionally Grown Fruits and Vegetables in Two Regions of Australia

“…There is a significant body of research on the perceived benefits to consumers who purchase and consume regionally grown foods both internationally [22][23][24] and in Australia [25]. However, there is limited research detailing more wide-spread consumption patterns of regionally grown foods.…”

Baselines, Trajectories, and Scenarios: Exploring Agricultural Production in the Northeast U.S.

“…It also highlights that demand is a primary driver of production; sustainability outcomes can only be achieved within the context of sustainable consumption (Moomaw, Griffin, Kurczak, & Lomax, 2013). The coordinated research effort described here represents six years of research and contributions from more than 30 people, including faculty, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and practitioners and community members; various aspects of this work are described elsewhere (for example, see Clancy et al, 2017;Palmer et al, 2017). Much of the coordination across the investigators was accomplished virtually; the Production Team held biweekly conference calls for more than four years.…”

Introduction to the EFSNE Project Collection of Papers

“…In the third paper, Palmer et al (2017) explore how consumers understand the concept of regional food based on focus groups conducted in four locations across the Northeast. Analysis of participant discussions yields insights on how consumers define and value regional food, relative to the more familiar concept of local food.…”