Lane County Local Food Market Analysis

The Lane County Board of Commissioners, in partnership with the City of Eugene, Eugene Water and Electric Board, and the University of Oregon, recently funded the “Lane County Local Food Market Analysis.” The award winning project, which was prepared by the University of Oregon’s Community Planning Workshop, provides an analysis of how food grown, processed, distributed and sold in the county can boost the local economy.

Since the study was completed in August 2010, Lane County has distributed $400,000 to local food projects, including expansion of distribution facilities, contributing to start-up expenses for a grain mill, and hiring a part-time local food coordinator. In addition, EWEB has secured land for a 90-acre demonstration farm and pursued grants to help agricultural producers protect water quality while increasing revenue.