Friday, July 23, 2010
Randomly Noted Eating local produce would mean billions for Ga. economy
Posted by Alexandria Jud on Fri, Jul 23, 2010 at 12:52 PM
But new findings have determined the impact these purchases would have on the Georgia economy as a whole. And it's huge.
According to a recent study by the University of Georgia's Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, if the Peach State's approximately 3.7 million households spent just $10 per week on Georgia-grown produce (from any source, not just directly from producers), more than $1.9 billion could be pumped back into the state's economy.
There's more: for every 5 percent increase in local produce purchases, Georgia would see 345 additional jobs, $43.7 million more in sales, and $13.6 million more in farmer income.
To put these numbers in perspective, direct farmer to consumer sales currently contribute 132 jobs, $14.4 million in sales, and $4.5 million in labor income.
Just a small change in our consumer behavior could lead to big economic gains for our state.
Plus, don't those local tomaters taste so much better, anyway?
Comments (6)
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We bought part of a grass-fed cow, we are in a CSA for our Fruits and Veggies, and we attend Farmers Markets. We are trying to do our part.
www.urbanfarmingatlanta.com
GA has always been home to some of the best produce, beef, chicken, and seafood on the planet...its time we support our own! amazing what $10 a week will do...
To pump up the economy, what about enacting a law to permit Georgia farmers to grow and sell marijuana to firms in states that allow the medical use of marijuana? Wouldn't this aid rural counties while providing a new source of tax revenue?
this is why we do what we do! vegetablehusband.com is supporting our local georgia organic growers every week!
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