Direct Food Sales in the United States: Evidence from State and County-Level Data

While direct marketing of food products from farmers to consumers has received increased attention, based on potential contributions to sustainable agriculture, there is a lack of understanding about the significant variation in direct food sales across regions. This paper uses 2007 USDA Census of Agriculture data and regression analysis to identify major factors associated with direct food sales across states and counties. Four variables, average farm size, population density, region, and available farmland, together explain most of the variation in direct food sales across states. Household income and type of farming are also significant explanatory factors at the county level.