Local Food System Illustrations

Not all of these are cartoons. The first two maps are from the Atlas of the Pacific Northwest, published in 1953 by then-Oregon State College. The location of northwest canning and freezing plants and creameries are found in the first map. The second points out the location of meat and poultry processing plants.

Fifty years ago, there was a great variety of processing available for local farmers. Just within the state of Idaho there were over 30 poultry processors, now HomeGrown Poultry is the only one. We'd rather not be the only one. Long transportation is not good for the birds, the farmer, the customer, or our dwindling oil supplies.

Canning & Freezing Plants in the Pacific Northwest

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Canning & Idaho

Meat Processing Plants in the Pacific Northwest

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Meat & Idaho

This next chart compares the acreage of 21 different crops from 1950 to 2002. It points out that we grow and over-abundance of a few crops, yet very little of what we eat.