AN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN LAKE COUNTY
Economists estimate that 90-95 percent of the $48 billion worth of
food consumed in Illinois – approximately $14 billion of which is
fruits and vegetables– is produced elsewhere, meaning that
approximately $46 billion leaves our state every year. In Lake
County alone, over 88 percent of food dollars were spent outside
of the county in 2009.
There is market demand for food that is grown and processed here
by our own neighbors, which generates and circulates money
within our state and region rather than sending it elsewhere. The
multiplier effect of money spent on locally grown food in Illinois
estimates that those food dollars circulate 1.4 to 2.6 times within
the local economy, indicating that every dollar that goes toward
local food purchases can double or triple the economic benefits to
the local economy.
By that factor, if the unmet demand for fruits and vegetables in
Lake County – estimated at approximately $180 million– were
satisfied, then the benefits to the County’s economy as a whole
could total $468 million annually. This positive trend also
influences labor income and jobs, as it is estimated that fruit and
vegetable farms selling in local markets employ 13 full-time
employees per every $1 million in sales, versus three employees
for entities that sell into global farm commodity markets. In other
words, a dollar spent at the farmers market supports four times as
many workers as a dollar spent at the supermarket. Farm income
is also impacted by the choice of product. On a national scale,
studies have shown that farm income and per acre net revenue for
fresh market vegetables are five to 50 times greater than that for
commodity crops.
By supporting and strengthening the sustainable local food system,
Lake County is poised to tap into the economic potential of
increased jobs and production.
FIND A FARMERS
MARKET
The Lake County GIS/Mapping Division recently
launched a Farmers Market Finder.
Go to
maps.lakecountyil.gov/farmersmarket to find farmers
markets in your area. To locate a farmers market, simply
enter an address or day of the week in the search box, or
use your current location. The farmers market(s) will then
be highlighted on the map and relevant information about
each farmers market displayed.
maps.lakecountyil.gov/farmersmarket
LAKE COUNTY TRENDS
Data from the Lake County 2007 Agricultura l Census shows that the county is
moving toward sustainable farming practices and more of a local food system.
More than 20 percent of farms used conservation methods, and there were 12
organic farms totaling 90 acres. Additionally, Lake County has 13 farmers
markets, and the county has seen a consistent rise in direct-to-consumer sales.
There is unmet demand for locally grown food in Lake County, as is the case
throughout the metropolitan Chicago area and state-wide. According to one
estimate, if Lake County consumers bought $5 of food directly from local farms
each week, local farms would earn an additional $182 million. This annual
demand for vegetables and fruits in Lake County demonstrates the great
economic potential of local food production in Lake County.
18 North County Street, Waukegan IL
www.lakecountyil.gov