Tuesday, February 09, 2010 -- 06:13 AM e.s.t.

Education - Publications - Marketing Projects

Lamb and Goat Meat Market Research in Brooklyn, NYC

Urban ethnic markets present a significant opportunity for farmers in the Northeast. The Boston to Washington megalopolis contains some of the highest concentrations of ethnic immigrants anywhere in the world. These ethnic groups tend to form close-knit communities with strong cultural ties to their homeland. Food is integral to sustaining ethnic cultures. Ethnic products range from Asian, Italian and Hispanic vegetables and specialty herbs, to goat meat, full-fat dairy products, and live poultry. Many of these products can be produced profitably by farmers in the Northeast.

Over the last two years (1997-99) staff from the Farming Alternatives Program at Cornell, Cornell Cooperative Extension of New York City, and Just Food, Inc. (a community-based group addressing local food and agriculture issues in the metropolitan area) surveyed ethnic food businesses and consumers as well as farmers and farm groups to assess the potential of ethnic market opportunities in New York City.

Some of this market data may be of interest to both lamb and goat producers. This information is in the form of two surveys done in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn.

• Consumer Survey on Lamb and Goat Consumption

• Vender Survey on Lamb and Goat

For more information contact information contact Duncan Hilchey at the Farming Alternatives Program (607) 255-4413; dlh3@cornell.edu