Enhancing the performance of the urban food market in the north carolina triad

Many consumers are willing to pay more for locally-produced food and support local food systems because local food is often perceived to be fresher and better tasting. However, the average consumer in the United States spends 47 percent of every food dollar in eating establishments which may not serve locally produced food. Increasing the local food content of restaurants will both satisfy consumer demand and enhance the financial well-being of local farmers. This project will use a survey to identify the constraints that local chefs face in buying local food. A second survey will be used to identify the constraints that local producers face in selling local food to chefs. A summary of the results will be shared with both farmers and chefs and promote networking that will increase the local content of restaurant food in Greensboro, NC. This will increase local farm incomes and strengthen the local/urban food system.