Exploring Localized Economic Dynamics: Methods-Driven Case Studies of Transformation and Growth in Agricultural and Food Markets

Abstract

Quantifying the economic impacts and contributions of local and regional food systems and events in these systems has become increasingly common as both public and private entities attempt to justify a commonly held belief that more localized systems lead to positive economic gains in the communities in which they operate. However, many studies are not careful to consider the opportunity costs, complexity of economic linkages, or other subtle dimensions of how regional economies may change in dynamic settings. In this study, the authors use three case studies to explore the important criteria that should be considered when modeling impacts and contributions of activities and events that can be characterized by a variety of supply shocks or customization to account for relocalized linkages in the supply chain.