** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE PROPOSED STUDY IS DIRECTED AT ADAPTING THE SERVICE-DOMINANT LOGIC FRAMEWORK AND EXAMINING A SERVICE-ORIENTED STRATEGY TO STRENGTHEN SMALL FARMS - COMMERCIAL FOOD SERVICES - CONSUMERS LINKAGES TO ENHANCE THE LOCAL FOOD VALUE CHAIN AND INCREASE THE PROFITABILITY OF SMALL FARMS LOCATED CLOSE TO AN URBAN HUB. THE GOAL OF THIS STUDY IS TO ADAPT AND EXAMINE A PARADIGM SHIFT OF THE LOCAL FOOD VALUE CHAINS FROM TRADITIONAL FOOD-PRODUCTION TO SERVICE-ORIENTED. THE OBJECTIVES ARE TO: 1) EVALUATE CONSUMERS' AWARENESS, ATTITUDES, EXPECTATIONS, AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY RELATED TO LOCAL FOOD DINING CONSUMPTION; 2) ENGAGE BOTH SMALL-SIZED FARMERS (IN RURAL ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI) AND FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANTS IN THE GREATER ST. LOUIS AREA TO ASSESS THE CHALLENGES, BARRIERS, AND OPPORTUNITIES OF DISTRIBUTING AND SOURCING LOCAL FOOD; AND 3) STRENGTHEN THE SERVICE-ORIENTED LOCAL FOOD VALUE CHAINS BY DEVELOPING AN EXTENSION PROGRAM TARGETING SMALL FARMERS AND RESTAURANTS IN THE GREATER ST. LOUIS AREA AND ENHANCING AN EXISTING COALITION NETWORK TO FACILITATE COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN SMALL FARMS AND RESTAURANTS, WHICH HELPS TO PROVIDE CONSUMERS WITH QUALITY LOCAL FOOD DINING SERVICES. THE PROPOSAL IS ALIGNED WITH THE FY 2022 AFRI RFA PROGRAM INITIATIVE RELATED TO SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMS (PROGRAM AREA PRIORITY CODE: A1601).