Is it worth talking about selling local food to schools and other institutions?  

Are the prices farms will accept even close to prices that institutions are willing to pay?

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Welcome to the information page for our local food price study of commonly grown vegetables in central Texas.  We conducted this study during 2017, surveying farms throughout central Texas and buyers in the 5-county MSA:  Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson.

This study was conducted by the Texas Center for Local Food in partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Texas State University.  Many committed stakeholders played critical roles in completing this study.  We are grateful to St. David's Foundation for funding this important research.

This study includes only these vegetables: Summer squash (zucchini, yellow straight and crookneck, etc.), okra, cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers (green), tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce (mixed greens washed) 1 lb bag, cabbage, broccoli (whole crowns), potatoes (red), sweet potatoes.

In the future, we would like to study other vegetables, beef, poultry, dairy, grains, and lots more.  Let us know if you're interested in those studies.

Final Report

Executive summary (PDF)

Full final report (PDF) (If you print, know that the full report includes lengthy appendices after page 39)

Authors:

Sue Beckwith, Texas Center for Local Food

Dr. Rebekka Dudensing, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Dr. Nicole Wagner, Texas State University

Kara Kroeger, Texas State University

Ava Cameron, Texas Center for Local Food

 Stakeholders and Partners:

Jake Carter, Austin/Travis County Food Policy Board

Skip Connett, Green Gate Farms

Dr. Jodi Duron, Superintendent Elgin ISD

Michael Hanan, Austin/Travis County Food Policy Board and Agua Dulce Farm

Adrienne Haschke, Austin/Travis County Food Policy Board and Sustainable Food Center

Robert Maggiani, National Center for Appropriate Technology

Edwin Marty, City of Austin, Office of Sustainability

Dr. Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology

Curt Nelson, Austin Foodshed Investors

Owen Rock, Elgin Economic Development Corporation

Gail Rothe, Farmland Preservation Working Group

Chris Schreck, Capital Area Council of Governments

Katie Tritsch, farmer

Advisors:

James Barham, USDA FoodLINC National Coordinator

Dr. Rebecca Dunning, USDA FoodLINC Evaluator