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Mississippi Small Farm Product Amounts, Seasonality, and Proximity to K-12 Public Schools

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica L. Thomson

    (US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA)

  • Alicia S. Landry

    (Department of Nutrition and Family Sciences, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 72035, USA)

  • Tameka I. Walls

    (US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA)

  • Randall McMillen

    (Geosystems Research Institute, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39759, USA)

Abstract

The study’s purpose was to determine small farm product amounts and seasonality and examine spatial relationships between small farms and K-12 public schools in Mississippi. Online survey participation invitations were sent via email to farmers and school food service directors from October 2021 to January 2022. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and proximities between farms ( n = 29) and schools ( n = 122) determined using spatial analysis. Median yearly amounts for both fresh fruits and vegetables ranged from 1–50 to 201–500 pounds while other product amounts ranged from 1–50 to >1000 pounds. Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and other product seasonality ranged from 1 to 6 months, 1 to 12 months, and 3 to 12 months, respectively. In total, 8 out of 12 fresh fruits, 24 out of 25 fresh vegetables, and all other products were harvested during the academic school year. Fifty percent of the schools were within a 20-mile radius of at least one small farm, while 98% were within a 50-mile radius. While many product amounts were small (1–50 pounds), most were harvested during the school year and in close proximity to at least one school. Contracting directly with farmers may be more attractive to school food authorities given current supply chain disruptions and decreasing product availability for school meal programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica L. Thomson & Alicia S. Landry & Tameka I. Walls & Randall McMillen, 2023. "Mississippi Small Farm Product Amounts, Seasonality, and Proximity to K-12 Public Schools," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-9, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3572-:d:1071761
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hoppe, Robert A. & MacDonald, James M. & Korb, Penelope J., 2010. "Small Farms in the United States: Persistence Under Pressure," Economic Information Bulletin 58300, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    2. Jessica L. Thomson & Tameka I. Walls & Alicia S. Landry, 2022. "Mississippi Farmers’ Interest in and Experience with Farm to School," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-12, June.
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