A geographic framework for assessing neolocalism: the case of Texas cider production

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research is to propose a new conceptual framework intended to offer scholars a tool for assessing the geographic qualities among the myriad expressions of neolocalism reflected by craft food producers. Our objectives were to determine the extent to which Texas craft cider producers employ neolocal traits in the identity and marketing of their products and place; to examine how and under what conditions does the role of neolocalism and the traits employed in Texas craft cider production vary by location, reflecting local sites and situations; and to discover whether geographic, relational, or value-based traits hold greater influence when employing neolocalism in Texas craft cider. Incorporating geographic, relational, and values of proximity along with identified neolocal traits, we created a visual representation of neolocal engagement, the neolocal product model. The model visually demonstrates how Texas craft cider producers’ ability to conscientiously create a locally embedded product imbued with neolocal traits is affected by how the producers situate themselves within a local food network, reflect local resources and values, and present their cidery within a chosen landscape.

KEYWORDS:

• Neolocalism
• assessment framework
• local food network
• craft beverages
• cider

Acknowledgments

We want to thank the cideries and cider makers across Texas who took time to talk with us about their love of cider and the places they live. They are inspirational craftsmen and women who are making amazing products.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

James Buratti

James Buratti completed a Ph.D. in Environmental Geography from Texas State University in 2019 and is currently the Digital Strategy Manager at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on neolocal trends in cider, beer, other craft beverages, producers’ perspectives in local, organic, and urban agriculture, placemaking, food policy, and farmer resiliency among other topics. He is interested in consumer's and producer's conscious efforts to make personal connections to place and how food and drink is an integral part of that connection.

Ron Hagelman

Ronald R. Hagelman III, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Hagelman’s university courses and research interests relate to urban environments, hazards and disaster recovery, urban sustainability, food systems, and geographic information systems (GIS).