The Chicago Local Food System Study: An Analysis of Opportunity for Local Foods was undertaken by four collaborating organizations—Openlands, Fresh Taste, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and the Liberty Prairie Foundation—to develop a baseline of the capacity for the Chicago region to satisfy the demand for local food. The team chose a 38-county study area contiguous to the City of Chicago which, at its widest, spans roughly 300 miles across a four-state area. (Click image to enlarge.)
The information presented in this website includes economic analysis, a policy and program scan, ecosystem services research, a literature review, and a set of conclusions and recommendations. It is intended to advance the field of local food systems research and point to promising approaches to increase local food supply while identifying ongoing challenges in local foods research.
The Chicago Local Food System Study 