Foodservice/Retail Trends

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Cities Developing Urban Agriculture Codes

Urban agriculture has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to deal with vacant properties, revitalize neighborhoods, and provide job skills and nutrition to local residents struggling with poverty and a lack of access to fresh produce.

In Austin, Texas, a working group of the Sustainable Food Policy Board is meeting to clarify and update city code related to urban farms, livestock, size of farm, employees and dwellings, according to the Austin Chronicle.

The working group has been holding public sessions to gather input from urban farmers and community members about pending updates to the urban farm ordinance.

In April 2013, the Flint Farmers' Market reported that the Detroit City Council adopted the city's first urban agriculture zoning ordinance recognizing agriculture as a legitimate land use and setting standards for it.

Other cities working to update or create urban agriculture codes include Boston, Massachusetts;
Fort Collins, Colorado; and Portland, Oregon.

For more information, see USDA's National Ag Library webpage on Urban Agriculture.

Home » Markets & Industries » Food » Foodservice/Retail Trends

AgMRC-Developed Information

Food Industry Trade Shows, Ag Marketing Resource Center, Iowa State University - Complete listing of national and international food trade shows to attend and/or showcase new food products to retailers and foodservice industry contacts.

Other Information

2012 Restaurant Trends, Food Product Design, 2011.
Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, U.S. Census Bureau.
Americans Plan to Continue Eat-at-Home and Frugal Shopping Habits Post Recession, PR Newswire.
Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers and Shakers, 2012 - Fast Casual.com. Ideas and trends for the fast casual restaurant.
Food Ingredients First - A portal for unique content on food and beverage development.
Food Trend Predictions for 2011, Epicurious, 2010.
Hottest Restaurant Menu Trends in 2012, National Restaurant Association, 2011.
The Impact of Food Away From Home on Adult Diet Quality, Economic Research Service (ERS), 2010.
Local Sourcing and Healthful Kids' Meals Top National Restaurant Association's What's Hot in 2013 Culinary Forecast, National Restaurant Association, December 4, 2012.
Mintel Reveals Foodservice Trends for 2011, Food Product Design, 2010.
Pies Top 2011 Restaurant Trend List, Nation's Restaurant News, 2010.
Top Ten Food Trends for 2012, The Food Channel, 2011.
U.S. Fresh Produce Markets: Marketing Channels, Trade Practices and Retail Pricing Behavior, ERS, USDA, 2003 - This report examines how changes in the produce market affect market influence of producers, retailers and consumers.
What's Ahead in 2013, Technomic, November 19, 2012.
What's Hot in 2013 Culinary Forecast Predicts Top Food and Drink Menu Trends: National Restaurant Association. December 4, 2012.

Links to Other Sites

Food Product Design - Read about the latest in food trends from this publication.
Institute for Grocery Distribution - This organization provides research and information for the food industry in the United Kingdom and international. It offers publications and research reports and retail and consumer trends for a fee.
Progressive Grocer - This publication covers the food retailing industry. It reports daily news on the homepage.

Links checked December 2012.

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