A Food Economy Snapshot
Table 7. The above table shows the total number of businesses, number of employees and annual sales for each of the zip codes in the study area. (Created by Rebecca Schofield. “Baseline Food Economy – Businesses, Jobs and Sales by Zip Code.” 2013.)
Food Economy Maps
The maps below show economic activity in the food system in the study area. Each map shows information about the number of businesses, the number of jobs held at these businesses and the total annual sales, combined by zip code. Clicking on any of the maps opens the image in a new window to make it easier for viewing and printing.
Production: Food Production is a term for agriculture. This category describes the food raised or grown, either plant or animal. In the 2013 Field Project study area, food production represents primarily urban farming and beekeeping.
Processing: Food Processing refers to the businesses that transform raw crop or animal products into value-added food products. The majority of products in the food manufacturing industry are processed for sale to wholesalers or retailers. The industry also includes bakeries, candy stores, and other specialty retailers who also make products for consumption from raw materials at their stores. In the 2013 Field Project study area, most of the food processing in each zip code area is from bakeries. The food processing businesses in 02118/South End also have a variety of food processing facilities housed in the New Market complex, that make everything from meat products to pasta to sauces.
Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale Distribution includes the businesses that specialize in the aggregation, wholesale and delivery of processed foods. Refrigerated storage businesses are also included in this category. The data gathered for our wholesale distribution map includes those businesses that specialize in wholesaling and refrigeration of processed foods. It does not include the trucking industry that is responsible for delivery; because delivery trucks are used for several purposes, it was impossible to identify to what extent they are used for food delivery. Food Wholesale Distribution in the study area is again concentrated in the 02118/South End area and includes businesses part of the New Market complex.
Retail: Food Retail includes the businesses that sell food directly to customers through various markets. It includes grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants and vending machines. The zip codes 02120, 02121 and 02126 (Mission Hill, Dorchester and Mattapan, respectively) have the fewest food retail businesses. 02118, 02130 and 02143 (South End, Jamaica Plain, and Somerville, respectively) have the greatest number of food retail businesses.
Consumption: Food Consumption data estimate the money spent on food by consumers. This estimate includes foods purchased for consumption at home that typically comes from grocery stores, as well as food purchased for consumption away from home, including cafeterias, fast food restaurants and full-service sit-down restaurants.
Nutrient Recycling: Nutrient Recycling includes those businesses that dispose of or recycle food scraps and by-products. In the study area, this includes businesses that deal primarily with composting food material.