Wide Discrepancy Between What Produce Georgia Farmers Grow, Consumers Eat

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA – Eighty-percent of the food Georgians purchase comes from out-of-state.
Now, a study shows spending just $10 a week on Georgia-grown produce could add $1.9 billion to the state's economy. WABE's Jim Burress reports.

There's a wide discrepancy between what Georgia farmers grow and what Georgia consumers eat. That's according to a recent study by the University of Georgia's Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development.

UGA researchers asked one key question--"What if Georgians ate Georgia Produce?" They found that even small purchasing changes could lead to big economic gains, including hundreds of new jobs.

Georgia Organics Executive Director Alice Rolls offers lettuce as an example.

"We actually grow about 250,000 lbs. of lettuce each year, but on average, we eat 285-million [lbs]," she said.

Closing the gap on lettuce alone would yield the state more than $80-million a year.

Other produce where consumption outweighs production include tomatoes, apples, and even peaches.

Jim Burress, WABE News