Freakonomics Radio

412. What Happens When Everyone Stays Home to Eat?

Apr 9, 2020
Jason Lusk, an agricultural economist at Purdue University, and Doug Baker from the Food Marketing Institute dive into the upheaval in the food supply system caused by COVID-19. They discuss the surge in demand for locally sourced meats and the challenges small farms faced. Anecdotes highlight the pandemic's impact on grocery shopping behaviors, with shifts to online shopping and changes in purchasing patterns from dining out to stocking up. The conversation also touches on the vulnerabilities in the food supply chain and the urgent issue of food insecurity.
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ANECDOTE

Small Farm Boom

  • Garth Brown's small farm quadrupled orders due to COVID-19, shifting from 32 to 127 orders weekly.
  • This surge reflects consumers' increased need for staple foods as they cook more at home.
INSIGHT

Unexpected Shortages

  • The coronavirus pandemic significantly impacted the food supply chain, even in areas not directly hit by the virus.
  • Jason Lusk was surprised by the empty shelves at his local grocery store.
INSIGHT

Increased Grocery Demand

  • Grocery stores experienced a massive surge in demand, with increases ranging from 80% to 150%.
  • People are buying more per trip, resulting in larger basket sizes and increased foot traffic.
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