Our team of researchers conducted a national survey of over 5,000 households in the fall of 2020. The survey provides important insights into how the pandemic changed the way that U.S. households made food choices and if some of the changes may be sustained post pandemic for their household. This Food Consumer Insights series provides information about what we learned to help guide businesses along local and regional supply chains.
Latest December 2020: Neighbor Loaves
Focusing on collecting and disseminating easily digestible ideas, best practices, and readily adoptable approaches to COVID adaptation, these 1-2 page briefs are designed to be easily shared by LRFS stakeholders to support timely innovation.
Watch the latest webinar: Emergency Food, Charity, and the Local Food System
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The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health and social distancing mandates caused unprecedented shifts and disruptions for Local and Regional Food Systems (LRFS). Impacts on farm enterprises, value chain stakeholders, market channels, and food system infrastructure are both vast and varied, and require rapid adaptation by all involved. The pandemic has also brought new and heightened attention to our food system, and LRFS may be positioned to significantly increase the scope and scale of their market reach as a result.
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) along with the cooperating research team led by the University of Kentucky seek to enrich existing efforts within LRFS communities of practice who provide essential support to our nation’s local food producers. During this moment of simultaneous disruption and rapid innovation, our project supports LRFS communities of practice by documenting and disseminating innovations and best practices developed on the ground and drawing on LRFS thought leaders to frame research on COVID-related shifts in LRFS markets with the aim of supporting long term resilience.
Upcoming Webinars
January 25, 2021
1-2:30pm EST
Innovations in State Policy and Implications for Local and Regional Food Sectors
Featuring:
NASDA Foundation (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture) and Farm to Institution New England
Join us on the 3rd Monday of each month for a facilitated cross-sectoral discussion on topics including customer retention and engagement, emergency food, cooperative business models, state policies and consumer behavior.
January 25, 2021 – 1-2:30pm EST – Innovations in State Policy and Implications for Local and Regional Food Sectors
February 15, 2021 – 1-2:30pm EST – Formal and Informal Cooperative Development to Support Local and Regional Food Systems
March 15, 2021 – 1-2:30pm EST – Online Platforms: Pivots and Planning for the Future
April 19, 2021– 1-2:30pm EST – Integrating National Consumer Survey Results into Future Planning
May 17, 2021 – 1-2:30pm EST – Next Steps to Support the Local Food System in Times of Uncertain Consumer Behavior
(Webinars will be recorded and posted on our website)
Latest Resources
- Added: December 18, 2020
- Factsheets Briefs & FAQs
- First Amendment, free speech, market, rules, speech
Many farmers markets have questions about free speech at markets, and in particular, what types of restrictions market rules can place on activities such as leafleting, political campaigning, or protesting. These activities can interfere with the operation of the….
- Added: December 11, 2020
- Innovation Briefs
- innovation, innovation briefs
Regional small grain value chains link local farmers, regional mills, and artisan bakers to consumers looking to support local food systems. Through the rise in popularity of artisan baking and craft brewing, the sector has enjoyed significant growth in….
- Added: December 3, 2020
- Webpages
IFAI's dedicated resource page for Indian Country COVID19 Resources and Updates. Links to policy updates, webinars, and resource library included…..
- Added: December 3, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
Webinar update from the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative on Tribal food and agriculture programmatic opportunities and flexibilities amid COVID-19 related to business, conservation, and infrastructure…..
- Added: December 3, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
The Native Farm Bill Coalition and the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative provided an update about current pandemic response legislation from Congress and what that means for food and nutrition provisions implementation in Indian Country in response to COVID-19…..
- Added: December 3, 2020
- Factsheets Briefs & FAQs
Coronavirus Relief Fund Guidance to help Tribal governments and their legal counsel regarding the use of Coronavirus Relief Funding, a new educational resource with additional information and examples based on guidance and interpretations released by the U.S. Department of….
- Added: December 3, 2020
- Factsheets Briefs & FAQs
This Native Farm Bill Coalition publication outlines federal funding and infrastructure needs that could support Indian Country in building enhanced community food systems…..
- Added: December 3, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
- American Indian/Alaska Native, Food sovereignty, Indigenous communities, law and policy, Tribal government
Disruption to food systems, uncertainty, and food access inequities in Indian Country have been exacerbated by COVID-19. How can Tribes cultivate food sovereignty, build healthy and traditional foodways, and facilitate agricultural production? The IFAI team outlines policy-based pathways in….
- Added: November 30, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
This webinar takes a deep dive into some of the most popular software platforms for farm-specific sales, based on 2020 national farmer-survey findings. The featured speaker is Claire Strader, Organic Vegetable Educator for Dane County Extension & FairShare CSA….
- Added: November 28, 2020
- Innovation Briefs
- innovation brief
Students at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy launched the Friedman Food Systems COVID-19 Connector (“Connector”), a service learning program utilizing an online platform to match organizations seeking technical assistance in their responses to COVID-19 to….
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Our Partner Networks
(Click on logo for partner profile and resources)
