Economic Contributions of the Local Food Systems in Tennessee

Abstract

Local food systems (LFS) are often viewed as development pathways for local economies due to their ability to create a multiplier effect in an economy through a significant contribution to output and job creation. There is limited information on these impacts for Tennessee. Therefore, this study measures the gross economic contributions of Tennessee’s local food system using IMPLAN’s input-output model. Results show that LFS is a crucial component of Tennessee’s economy with an estimated total economic contribution of $37.5 billion. The region’s local food system directly employs more than 99,000 people and has an income multiplier of 2.56 and a value-added multiplier of 2.06.