The notice below was publicised on the Community Food Security Coalition list serve. It details a study released by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project that explores the potential to expand local markets and products. Visit the website here: http://asapconnections.org/special/research/index.html

Study Finds High Demand for Locally Grown Food
A new study released by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project provides a detailed look at the food and farming economy of Western North Carolina and explores the potential to expand local markets for local farm products. The 320-page report, “Growing Local: Expanding the Western North Carolina Food and Farm Economy“, is the culmination of a multi-year research project funded by the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program.

The research details:
(1) what food and farm products are currently produced in the region;
(2) how much of what is produced is also consumed in the region;
(3) the potential for increasing local consumption of locally produced food and farm products as a way to strengthen the regional farm economy; and
(4) where investment of resources and other actions could eliminate barriers currently impeding the purchase of local food.

The report may be downloaded from the ASAP Web site. http://asapconnections.org/special/research/index.html