title: Do entrepreneurial food systems innovations impact rural economies and health? Evidence and gaps.
abstract: A potential solution for weakened rural economies is the development of local food systems, which include affordable foods sources for consumers and economically feasible structures for producers. Local food systems are purported to promote sustainability, improve local economies, increase access to healthy foods, and improve the local diets. Four entrepreneurial food systems innovations that support local economies include farmers' markets, community supported agriculture, farm to institution programs and food hubs. We review current literature to determine whether innovations for aggregation, processing, distribution and marketing in local food systems: 1) enable producers to make a living; 2) improve local economies; 3) provide local residents with greater access to affordable, healthy food; and 4) contribute to greater consumption of healthy food among residents. While there is some evidence for each, more transdisciplinary research is needed to determine whether entrepreneurial food systems innovations provide economic and public health benefits.
authors.affiliation: Battelle, Health & Analytics, 1100 Dexter Avenue N., Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98109.
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sitaker
authors.affiliation: Community Development and Applied Economics Department, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kolodinsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, ECU, 600 Moye Blvd, MS 660.
authors.forename: Stephanie B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Jilcott Pitts
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Seguin
keywords: Entrepreneurial food systems innovations; community supported agriculture (CSA); economic development; farm to institution; farmers’ market; food hub; public health nutrition; rural health