Estimating the Production and Market Value-Based Impacts of Nutritional Goals in Ne Iowa

Abstract

This research describes the potential economic impacts of a nutritionist-suggested level of fresh fruits and vegetable consumption coupled with increased levels of local production of these commodities and builds off of earlier work done by the author. It combines the net economic impacts of shifting from traditional commodity crops (corn and soybeans in Iowa) to horticulture crops with an imagined producer-owned wholesale and retail distribution network to gauge overall job and income gains for Iowa or for regions in Iowa. We also assess animal, poultry, and whole grain components of the hypothetical diet. The potential economic outcomes are identified and quantified in this study. The methodology and applicability to other regions and other local production and distribution contexts are discussed as well.