ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a narrative analysis of national-level local food policies in the US, from the first national policy’s introduction in 1975 to the end of 2012. Narrative policy analysis is a qualitative approach to examining policy change (Roe, 1994; van Eeten, 2007). Analysis follows three tracks. First, where did the local food narrative originate and how did it evolve through the policy process over time? Second, what is the content of the narrative? What does the language in the policy tell us about the goals of the local food movement, its needs, and preferred and politically acceptable means to achieve those goals? Third, what is the trajectory of policy outcomes over time? Are policymakers increasing or decreasing their support for local food; is funding increasing or decreasing; are policies increasing in number or breadth, or declining or being narrowed? Narrative analysis focuses on program impacts to a lesser degree than formal program evaluation.
