{
  "id": "R43950",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R43950",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 450038,
      "date": "2016-02-24",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T17:03:06.261485",
      "title": "Local Food Systems: Selected Farm Bill and Other Federal Programs",
      "summary": "Sales of locally produced foods comprise a small but growing part of U.S. agricultural sales. Estimates vary but indicate that local food sales total between $4 billion to $12 billion annually. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that local food sales totaled $6.1 billion in 2012, reflecting sales from nearly 164,000 farmers selling locally marketed foods. This represents 8% of U.S. farms, and an estimated 1.5% of the value of total U.S. agricultural production. Most (85%) of all local-food farms are smaller in size, with gross revenues under $75,000. \nLocal and regional food systems generally refer to agricultural production and marketing that occurs within a certain geographic proximity (between farmer and consumer) or that involves certain social or supply chain characteristics in producing food (such as small family farms, urban gardens, or farms using sustainable agriculture practices). A wide range of farm businesses may be considered to be engaged in local foods. These include direct-to-consumer marketing, farmers\u2019 markets, farm-to-school programs, community-supported agriculture, community gardens, school gardens, food hubs and market aggregators, kitchen incubators, and mobile slaughter units. Other types of operations include on-farm sales/stores, internet marketing, food cooperatives and buying clubs, pick-your-own or \u201cU-Pick\u201d operations, roadside farm stands, community kitchens, small-scale food processing and decentralized root cellars, and some agritourism or other types of on-farm recreational activities. \nIn recent years federal funding for local and regional food systems has increased. Funding for these and other USDA programs were authorized in 2014 farm bill (P.L. 113-79, Agricultural Act of 2014). Other programs were authorized in 2010 as part of most recent child nutrition reauthorization (Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, P.L. 111-296). For 2014-2015, USDA has announced it was awarding nearly $40 million in grants to support local food systems across several programs. In addition, nearly $50 million in loans is available to support local and regional food enterprises. Other USDA programs often also support local and regional food systems; however, the share of total spending available to support local food system only (compared to all other types of farming systems) is not known. For many of these programs, most indications are that the share used to support local food systems is very small.\nA number of existing federal programs benefiting all U.S. agricultural producers also provide support and assistance for local food systems. With few exceptions, these programs are not limited or targeted to local or regional food systems but are generally available to provide support to all U.S. farms and ranchers. These include farm support and grant programs administered by USDA, among other federal agencies. Programs administered by USDA may be grouped into several broad program categories: marketing and promotion; business assistance and agricultural research; rural and community development; nutrition and education; and farmland conservation. Examples include USDA\u2019s farmers\u2019 market programs, rural cooperative grants, and child nutrition programs, among myriad other grant and loan programs, as well as USDA\u2019s research and cooperative extension service. \nIn addition, the Obama Administration has also implemented departmental initiatives intended to support local food systems, including the \u201cKnow Your Farmer, Know Your Food\u201d Initiative, among other USDA activities. These initiatives are intended to eliminate organizational barriers between existing USDA programs and promote enhanced collaboration among staff, leveraging existing federal activities and programs. These are not stand-alone programs, are not connected to a specific office or agency, and do not have separate operating budgets.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 641,
          "name": "Farm Bill and Agricultural Policy"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc824622/",
      "id": "R43950_2016Feb05",
      "date": "2016-02-05",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-04T14:48:17",
      "title": "Local Food Systems: Selected Farm Bill and Other Federal Programs",
      "summary": "This report examines the federal support of local food systems, such as sales of locally-produced foods which comprise a small but growing part of U.S. agricultural sales.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORT",
      "active": false,
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Food",
          "name": "Food"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Food supply",
          "name": "Food supply"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Small business",
          "name": "Small business"
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    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc818729/",
      "id": "R43950_2015Mar20",
      "date": "2015-03-20",
      "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26",
      "title": "Local Food Systems: Selected Farm Bill and Other Federal Programs",
      "summary": null,
      "type": "CRS Report",
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      "active": false,
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  "topics": [
    "Agricultural Policy",
    "Economic Policy",
    "Health Policy"
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}