case studies of various funding support for sustainable local food systems in midwest communities
TRANSCRIPT
Case Studies of Various Funding Support for Sustainable Local Food Systems
in Midwest Communities
Linda Naeve
Extension Program Specialist
Value Added Agriculture Program
2014 CDS Conference
July 21, 2014
Sustainable Local Food Systems in Midwest Communities
• What is the definition of local foods? • What is the trend? Is it here to stay? • What is the economic impact of local foods in
communities?
• What funding sources are communities using to support local food systems?
• What are the lessons learned?
How Local is Local?
• Production within ____ miles?
• Within the county?
• Within state borders?
• Regional (multi-state)?
• Made in the USA?
Figure 2: Maximum Distance Consumers Considered as "Local"
0
10
20
30
40
50
25 miles 50 miles 75 miles 100 miles 200 miles 300 miles 500 miles within OH within the
U.S.
Categories
Perc
en
tag
e
Source: Batte et al., 2008.
“Local” definitions and bounds
Within state
2014 Restaurant Trends
Source: National Restaurant Association
Whole Foods’ goal is for 20% of its products to be locally-sourced.
In October 2010, they said Walmart would source $1 billion in produce from 1 million local farmers over the next 5 years; sourcing 9% of its US produce locally by 2015.
Hy-Vee carries a selection of locally-grown foods from Midwest family farms under their Hy-Vee Homegrown label.
Importance of Supermarket Features in customers store
shopping choice
Offers locally-grown produce
and packaged goods:
Very Important 43.8% Somewhat Important 41.2% Not Too Important 4.4%
Eating Habits How often do you:
Eat locally-grown food:
Never 1.2% Rarely 15.3% On special occasions 3.3% Once/month 5.5% Once every other week 10.3% Twice/week 8.7% Three times/week 12.1% Once/day 7.9% Multiple times/day 13.7%
“ … local food has big potential for job creation and economic opportunity.”
-- Kathleen Merrigan, Former Deputy Secretary, USDA
June 9, 2014
Local Food, Local Places Initiative $650,000 available in 2014
Goals: • Boost economic opportunities for local farmers and
businesses, and foster entrepreneurship;
• Improve access to healthy local food, particularly among disadvantaged groups with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables; and …
Local Food, Local Places Initiative $650,000 available in 2014
Goals, continued: • Revitalize downtowns, main street districts, and traditional
neighborhoods by supporting farmers’ markets, food hubs, community gardens, community kitchens, and other kinds of local food enterprises, and by providing people with affordable choices for accessing those amenities, such as walking, biking, or taking transit.
• help create jobs
• increase retention of local food dollars
• create a stronger economy
• improve health outcomes
From: 2012 Economic Impacts of Iowa’s Regional Food Systems Working Group
Re-localizing the food system in new and innovative ways can:
The “Local Food Shift”
“Rebuilding our local food system is one of the most important strategies for strengthening our local economy.” “Food localization can create new jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new economic activity.”
Michael H. Shuman, 2012 The 25% Shift: The Benefits of Food Localization for Boulder County and How to Realize Them.
North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Policy Project Grant
Alternative Funding for Food Systems Development
Siouxland
Funding Sources
USDA Farmers’ Market Promotion Grant $42,000 – 1 year
Sustained Funding Donations
Vendor fees
Siouxland
• Focus on one event or activity and don’t let it become too large and miss the objective.
• Farmers markets should limit the number of vendors and grow the number to meet customer demand.
• Make the farmers market a weekly event.
• Corporate sponsors help sustain and “grow” the market.
Best Practices
Farmers’ Markets Benefits to the Community
• They inspire more sociable behavior
• “Gleaning” programs • Centralized location facilitates
community engagement
Farmers’ Markets Benefits to the Community
Iowa Study: Introduction of 152 farmers markets into the state economy led to the creation of 576 jobs, a $59.4 million increase in output, and a $17.8 million increase in income
Rural Coop. Devt. - $83,485 Rural Coop. Devt. - $53,010
Specialty Crop Block Grant - $17,984
$4,000
• Work in small groups
• Focus on the buyer
• Good organization and structure
Best Practices
“Demand for locally produced food including fruits and vegetables as well as livestock products has shown substantial growth.” Teresa Wiemerslage
Leader for the Northeast Iowa Food and Farm Coalition and ISU Extension and Outreach program coordinator.
Initial Goals: • provide an opportunity for
existing and new producers to diversify
• explore development of regional processing and storage facilities to add value to all agricultural products in the area
• increase the consumption and sale of locally grown crops.
Increase access to healthy, locally grown foods and provide active living opportunities with the goal to transform their food and fitness systems through policy and system change projects.
Primary Funding Sources W.K. Kellogg Foundation
$650,000 (2008) $1.2M (2011)
$900,000 (2013)
Leveraged grants Leopold Center for Sustainable Ag.
Wellmark Foundation USDA
Iowa DOT
School Purchases of Local Food:
2012-2013 2013-2014 $20,200 $33,800
Economic Impact of local foods in NE Iowa
2013 26 farms added $8.6 million
to the local economy
Source: Impact of Local Foods in NE Iowa. 2013. www.iowafreshfood.com
Best Practices
• Create strong partnerships • Engage youth
• Create a trusting, open relationship
between communities
Primary Funding Sources
Health Cabinet of United Way, of the Des Moines Area
$60,000 (2008)
Des Moines Area Religious Council $45,000
Community Foundation Grant
$3,000
Mission: “ To develop a sustainable, replicable food system for accessing local and healthy foods for all income levels of the central Iowa foodshed involving residents, producers, distributors, educators and entrepreneurs.”
Focus Areas
• Policy • Health and Nutrition • Access and Hunger • Community
Outreach • Business
Development
Don’t assume you know it all
Lesson Learned
Driftless Farm Crawl and
Farm-to-Table Dinner
Primary Funding Sources
Sustainable Dubuque Grant
$2,500
Leveraged funding
$500 Event Sponsors
• Partnering with non-profit organizations can increase program visibility and volunteer base.
• In addition to financial support, in-kind and human resources are vital to the success of many programs.
Best Practices
