In 2000, ASAP began a research program to evaluate the impacts of food system localization on farm profitability and viability, production practices, distribution networks, and the health of local communities. Over time, this research has expanded to examine consumer perceptions of local food and farms, gather baseline data on agricultural production, identify existing regional distribution systems, quantify the demand for locally grown food across distinct regional market outlets, determine the potential for increasing local consumption of locally produced food and farm products, and document the requirements of specific market outlets. To ensure that the results of our research reach our constituents, the Local Food Research Center publishes research reports.
On this page you will find objective, systematic evaluation that is grounded in scholarly research. Our research reports cover everything from community assessments — tools to help communities identify opportunities to support local agriculture and expand their local food systems — to feasibility studies, impact studies, and consumer research. Whether you are a student, engaged citizen, political leader, farmer, or local entrepreneur, we invite you to use these research reports to further your own local food system research objectives.
Appalachian Grown Producer Survey Reports
Community Assessments
- Columbus, Georgia Local Food and Farm Assessment
- CONNECT Our Future Food Systems Plan Executive Summary
- CONNECT Our Future Food Systems Assessment Report
- CONNECT Our Future Action Plan for Food Systems Improvement
- Local Food and Farm Assessment: Avery, Rutherford, and Yancey Counties
- Food and Farm Assessment for a Five-County Region in the Southern Appalachians: Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes, and Johnson County
- Growing Local: Analysis Section
- 2011 Food and Farm Assessment: Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Local Food and Farm Assessment: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Food and Farm Assessment: Clay County, North Carolina
- Growing Local: Expanding the Western North Carolina Food and Farm Economy Full Report
- Growing Local: Implications for Western North Carolina
Consumer Surveys
Other Reports
- 2016 Appalachian Grown Producer Survey Report
- Exploration of Market Opportunities for Western North Carolina Grown Ginseng Root
- Yancey, NC Snapshot
- Wilkes, NC Snapshot
- Watauga, NC Snapshot
- Transylvania, NC Snapshot
- Swain, NC Snapshot
- Rutherford, NC Snapshot
- Polk, NC Snapshot
- Mitchell, NC Snapshot
- McDowell, NC Snapshot
- Madison, NC Snapshot
- Macon, NC Snapshot
- Jackson, NC Snapshot
- Henderson, NC Snapshot
- Haywood, NC Snapshot
- Graham, NC Snapshot
- Clay, NC Snapshot
- Cherokee, NC Snapshot
- Caldwell, NC Snapshot
- Burke, NC Snapshot
- Buncombe, NC Snapshot
- Avery, NC Snapshot
- Ashe, NC Snapshot
- Alleghany NC Snapshot
- York County, SC Snapshot
- Union County, SC Snapshot
- Union County, NC Snapshot
- Stanly County, NC Snapshot
- Rowan County, NC Snapshot
- Mecklenburg County, NC Snapshot
- Lincoln County, NC Snapshot
- Lancaster County, SC Snapshot
- Iredell County, NC Snapshot
- Gaston County, NC Snapshot
- Cleveland County, NC Snapshot
- Chester County, SC Snapshot
- Cabarrus County, NC Snapshot
- Anson County, NC Snapshot
- The Regulatory Environment for Farms in Western North Carolina
- Standards and Expectations of North Carolina Food Buyers
- Farmers Market Access Quick Guide: Sharing the Harvest—A Guide to Bridging the Divide Between Farmers Markets and Low-Income Shoppers
- Farmers Market Access Guide Farmers Markets for All—Exploring Barriers and Opportunities for Increasing Fresh Food Access by Connecting Low-Income Communities with Farmers Markets
- Feasibility Study: Large Animal Meat Processing Feasibility in Western North Carolina
- Summary of Economic Viability: Regional Large-Animal Meat Processing Plants
- Summary of Economic Viability: Non-Profit Food Hubs
- Growing a Local Food Economy: A Guide to Getting Started
- Farm Promotion and Support – Ideas and Tools for Economic Development and Tourism Development Authorities