Novel methods for an interesting time: Exploring U.S. local food systems' impacts and initiatives to respond to COVID. (1st November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thilmany, Dawn; Brislen, Lilian; Edmondson, Hailey; Gill, Mackenzie; Jablonski, Becca B. R.; Rossi, Jairus; Woods, Tim; Schaffstall, Samantha
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of agricultural and resource economics. Volume 65:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 848
• Page End: 877
• Publication Date: 2021-11-01
• Subjects: consumer demand -- COVID‐19 -- direct‐to‐consumer markets -- e‐commerce -- food policy -- local and regional food systems; Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Natural resources -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Australia -- Periodicals; Natural resources -- Australia -- Periodicals; 338.1
• DOI: 10.1111/1467-8489.12456
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-985X

Abstract

Abstract : The COVID‐19 pandemic and associated public health and social distancing mandates caused unprecedented shifts and disruptions for local and regional food systems (LRFS). The pandemic also brought new and heightened attention to the structure and resiliency of US food systems, and LRFS appeared to be positioned to significantly increase the scope and scale of their market reach as a result. Researchers from three universities collaborated with staff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service to recruit leaders from sixteen key coalitions within the U.S. LRFS sector to frame an adaptive, community‐driven set of applied research activities to understand important themes, learn from effective responses and gain insights into how local and regional supply chains may change post‐pandemic. In this paper, we summarise urgent and emergent strategies and innovations from LRFS captured in a fall 2020 consumer survey, with additional insights on how the survey was framed and interpreted, considering synthesis of collaborative discussions and project team interactions. We conclude the article with a set of research, policy and technical assistance priorities that were identified and validated by this LRFS network.