Overview of Beyond the Farmers' Market: Planning for Local Food Systems in Illinois

The idea of developing local food systems is an attractive one, but the “how to” of developing local sources and markets for food is often a stumbling block. Even as consumers are shopping at farmers’ markets, subscribing to community supported agriculture operations, dining at restaurants that buy locally, and developing new relationships with farmers, more would be better. This guide describes factors that contribute to the success or challenges of local food system projects. As Illinois communities develop local food systems and support existing projects, what can others learn from their experiences? This guide provides some of the answers that farmers, consumers and communities can use to develop local food systems. In 2004, the Laboratory for Community and Economic Development at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign began studying local food systems and locally-grown food initiatives in Central Illinois to document their potential as a strategy for community and economic development. This guide employs the key findings from that research to provide action steps and strategies to help community organizers develop successful local food system projects that benefit farmers, consumers and their communities. Mayors, planning staff, community and economic development professionals, and Extension educators, among others, can all play critical roles in developing local food systems. Case studies and data from Central Illinois provide examples for the suggested strategies. Detailed information about the Central Illinois Local Food System project methodology and results can be found in the supplemental document “Local Food Systems in Central Illinois 2004-2007”