Researchers
About the research
The impact on the transportation infrastructure is very much dependent on the type of vehicle used to move goods. While heavier vehicles are employed on cross-country distances, for local and regional, mid- to light-trucks are used to move shorter distances.
The project found strong reasons why Iowa should invest more in the local food system, as it has the least impact on roadway infrastructure. The total revenue for transportation-related programs in the state is not enough to even keep up with the damage to pavements from the conventional and regional food systems, much less the environmental impacts of these long distance hauls. In addition, a niche for local food systems exists in the urban counties that is sustainable and can expand the economic base of the state if pursued vigorously.
Researchers
David Plazak
Randy Boeckenstedt
About the research
Refine the beta version of the Iowa Produce Market Potential Calculator and develop it into a web-based tool from recommendations received from an advisory committee assembled in cooperation with the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Develop a second market sizing (i.e., demand only) calculator for the range of food products listed by USDA/ERS, which includes meats, dairy, and other products.
Project Details
01/01/05
10/31/05
Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Researchers
Stephen Andrle
Randy Boeckenstedt
About the research
This calculator was designed to help users determine expanding markets in Iowa if consumers ate more locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables rather than produce from conventional sources outside the state.
The calculator is unique because users easily can compare what Iowans eat (based on national per capita consumption data) to what Iowa farmers produce (based on U.S. Agriculture Census information).
The calculator includes information about 37 fruit and vegetables currently grown in Iowa. Consumption (demand) and supply (production) can be expressed in a number of weight-based units: pounds, bushels, pick-up truck or semi-truck load, yield per acre and retail value. Information can be calculated for the entire state, an individual county or group of counties.