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Abstract
New England's dependence upon other regions for much of its food
supply has become a cause for concern for farmers, consumers, and
public officials. As the debate on the region's need and ability to become
more self-sufficient in food production continues, the need for an estimate
of current levels of self-sufficiency becomes obvious.
This paper estimates New England's level of self-sufficiency for 1975
using secondary data for population, retail expenditures and farm marketing
receipts. The region was found to be about 38 percent self-sufficient in
overall food production. It produces a high of 176 percent of its seafood
requirements and a low of 3 percent of its red meat. Maine and Vermont
are surplus food producers.