Calculating food miles for a multiple ingredient food product, Leopold Center, Iowa State University, 2005 - This report shows food miles for strawberry yogurt.

The Case for Local and Regional Food Marketing, Farm & Food Policy Project (FFPP), 2007 - One in a series of issue briefs written to support new initiatives introduced to the 2007 Farm Bill. FFPP is a diverse alliance of family farm, sustainable agriculture, rural, public health, anti-hunger, environmental, faith-based and other groups with a commitment to address the full spectrum of public needs addressed by this critical piece of legislation.

Comparing the Structure, Size, and Performance of Local and Mainstream Food Supply Chains, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA, 2010 - The objective of this report is to improve understanding of how local foods are being introduced or reintroduced into the broader food system and of potential barriers to expansion of markets for local foods. A series of 15 case studies compares the structure, size and performance of local food supply chains with those of mainstream supply chains.

Consumer perceptions of place-based foods, food chain profit distribution and family farms, Leopold Center, Iowa State University, 2005 - Report prepared by the Iowa State University College of Business.

Direct and Intermediated Marketing of Local Foods in the United States, ERS, USDA, November 2011 - This research documents that farmers’ sales to local grocers and restaurants account for a large portion of all local food sales. Small and medium-sized farms dominate local foods sales through foods sold at roadside stands or farmers’ markets. Farmers marketing food locally are most prominent in the Northeast and the West Coast regions and areas close to densely populated urban markets. Climate and topography favoring the production of fruits and vegetables, proximity to and neighboring farm participation in farmers’ markets, and good transportation and information access are found to be associated with higher levels of direct-to-consumer sales.

Exploring Regional Food Systems: A North Country Example, Community & Rural Development Institute, Cornell University, 2009 - Local officials and community and economic developers are increasingly recognizing that local and regional food can contribute to community and economic development.

Follow That French Fry: Food Miles and Roadway Damage, Texas Department of Transportation (DOT), 2008 - This is a policy research paper prepared by Gretchen Stoeltje, a researcher in the Government and Public Affairs Division of the Texas DOT.

Food Miles: Background and Marketing, ATTRA, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, NCAT, 2008 -  This 12-page publication provides background on energy use in agriculture, how to calculate food miles and has suggestions for producers and consumers about how to reduce their carbon footprint.

Investigating the Potential Economic Impacts of Local Foods for Southwest Iowa, Dave Swenson, Iowa State University, 2009 - According to this study funded by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, increased demand in metropolitan areas for locally grown food could have a positive impact on neighboring rural economies in Iowa. Results showed that a modest increase in fruit and vegetable production could bring an additional $2.67 million in labor income and the equivalent of 45 farm-level jobs to the region.

Making the Farm/School Connection, 2006 - Food consultant JoAnne Berkenkamp prepared this report on the opportunities and barriers to greater use of locally grown produce in Minnesota public schools.

Preceptions of the U.S. Food System, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, 2005 - This 96-page report prepared looks at what and how Americans think about their food, including summaries of public opinion research, interviews with food advocates and a content analysis of media reports.

Promoting local foods is paying off, CU research shows; Cornell Chronicle, Cornell University, 2008 - In northern New York, more food is going directly from farm to consumer, cutting out the middleman and saving thousands of miles in food shipments.

Rethinking School Lunch, Center for Ecoliteracy - This initiative seeks to restore the connection of farms to communities, meals to culture and health to environment. The initiative includes a web-based guide with essays by influential thinkers and seminars.

Where do your fresh fruits and vegetables come from?, Leopold Center and the Center for Transportation Research and Education, Iowa State University, 2008 - Using this online tool, find out the origins of 95 fruit and vegetable items typically sold in U.S. supermarkets.