Iowa State University’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Center for Transportation Researchand Education have designed a great tool for estimating food demand at the county level throughout the U.S. The U.S. Food Market Estimator is a flexible and expansive system allowing users to view results in a variety of ways.
The following is taken from their site:
Who might use this tool?
• Farmers and other local direct-market food producers: Useful for identifying approximate market size in nearby counties in making decisions about marketing, capacity and potential expansion
• Governmental agencies (transportation, municipal and regional planning, public works): Useful in determining approximate food market size and impact of food production/processing on roads and other infrastructure.
• Food policy councils, nonprofit organizations, university researchers, economic development groups: Useful for analyzing approximate potential markets. Data can be used in assessing economic impacts related to changes in food availability, diet and marketing. Research scenarios might include selecting local purchasing targets for schools, retail, food service and other food markets at the county, state or national level.
Our previous and cost and return post or our business and marketing post may be of further help to you.