Abstract
This study spatially extends the USDA's Food Dollar framework, analyzing food expenditure distribution across regional economies. Using regional SAMs and county-level data, we estimate farm shares, industry contributions, and food dollar multipliers. Results reveal significant geographic disparities, with processing shares ranging from over 25% to under 20% and farm shares ranging from 10.2% to 12.9%. The food dollar contributions and multipliers also show geographic diversity and indicate varying densities of food supply chains throughout the United States. These insights support place-based policies strengthening local food systems may be in place, and their existence may be effective in promoting food sector-based regional economic development.