New research available – Can New England Feed Itself in the Years to Come?

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A new report puts forth a regional goal of producing and consuming 30% of New England’s food needs in the region by 2030. Commissioned by the New England State Food System Planners Partnership, a collaboration between Connecticut Food System Alliance, five other state-level organizations and Food Solutions New England, it outlines the role New Englanders can play in making the region’s food system stronger and more self-reliant. The report – A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience – is a product of 16 researchers exploring the opportunities and needs along the food supply chain in New England, and highlights the land, sea, and labor needs of the region, consumer purchase metrics, distribution trends, and population projections that will impact the region’s ability to feed itself in the coming years. 

“We all experienced the limitations and shortcomings of a global food supply chain during the pandemic – developing the regional food system is a strategy for strengthening the local economy while reducing dependence on the dominant food system,” said Meg Hourigan, Coordinator of the Connecticut Food System Alliance. “Becoming more self-reliant requires expanding our food supply chains, building up infrastructure such as food processing and distribution, and retaining and diversifying stewardship of our land and sea resources. In return, it can mean more local jobs, more local food, a competitive business environment, and a more reliable food system that is less susceptible to interruptions caused by natural disasters or public health emergencies.”

The report, released publicly today, illustrates Connecticut’s purchasing power in the effort to strengthen the local food system for itself and its New England neighbors. Connecticut is home to 24% of the region’s population and accounts for 22% of retail food sales, or $19 billion, according to the report. It is also home to 21% of food sector employment in the region. But Connecticut holds only 10% of agricultural land, meaning our local food supply chain is highly reliant on producers from outside its borders.

New England states had a total food expenditure of over $87.1 billion in 2019, or about $5,868 per person in the region. In order to ensure that 30% of New England’s food needs are met with New England products, the average New Englander would have to spend about $1,760 of that total food expenditure on regionally-produced food. By 2030, total food expenditures are projected to reach $98.4 billion, or about $1,890 per person to reach the 30% goal.

“The gap between what Connecticut consumes and what it produces can come from across the country or even the world, or it can come from right next door at a farm, in a greenhouse, or from a fishery right here in New England,” said Martha Page, Consultant and Connecticut Food System Alliance Steering Committee member. “Together, we can build a comprehensive food system development plan here in Connecticut in order to strengthen local farms and food businesses, be less dependent on a global food supply, and expand access to agricultural land so more of the food consumed here can be produced here.”

The New England State Food System Planners Partnership is a collaboration among six state-level food system organizations and Food Solutions New England who are mobilizing their networks to impact local and regional food supply chains, and strengthen and grow the New England regional food system. The Partnership disseminates information on trends, challenges and opportunities to hundreds of groups across the region that connect with our individual state initiatives. The Partnership works in collaboration with the regional Food Solutions New England network and in alignment with its New England Food Vision, and also in collaboration with state governments and groups supporting local and regionally-based food supply chains.