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Buying & Selling Local Foods

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Buying & Selling Local Foods

National

Selling Strategies for Local Food Producers Bill McKelvey, Mary Hendrickson, Joe Parcell
Fri, Jan 11th, 2008
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Minnesota School Food Survey Sam Hurst
Fri, Mar 13th, 2009
Last fall, JoAnne Berkenkamp from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy teamed up with the Minnesota School Nutrition Association to survey school food-service directors about their interest in direct farm-to-school marketing. Sixty-nine Minnesota school districts responded. They were overwhelmingly enthusiastic, but also cautious.

Guide to Developing a Sustainable Food Purchasing Policy Matthew Buck
Thu, Nov 1st, 2007
The guide is intended to help universities, colleges, hospitals, and other institutions - as well as those advocating for food system change - create, promote and implement practical sustainable food purchasing policies.

Fresh from the Farm: Using Local Foods in Afterschool and Summer Nutrition Programs Alexis Bylander and Crystal FitzSimons
Tue, Jan 8th, 2008
Food is an important part of any quality afterschool or summer program. It helps attract children to the program and ensures that they have the energy to fully participate in all of the educational and enrichment activities. The nutrition quality and appeal of the meals and snacks is crucial. One creative strategy to improve quality and appeal is to make local produce part of the meals and snacks, and Farm to School programs are one key strategy to do that. This guide outlines strategies and approaches for accessing local products such as working with an organization that is already using local produce, collaborating with the area food service director or operating the Farm to School program independently.
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Nuevos Mercados Para Su Cosecha (New Ways to Sell What You Grow) Community Food Security Coalition and the National Center for Appropriate Technology
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
Click here to download the publication in PDF format [1M] or contact NCAT at (800) ASK-NCAT for a printed copy. Click here to download the audio recording (mp3) of this publication This Spanish-language publication details strategies for farmers interested in marketing their products to local institutions such as schools, colleges, hospitals, retirement homes and day care centers. Included is a resource list of organizations around the country that work with Latino farmers looking for ways to market their products. Click here for a description of this publication and other resources in Spanish (Descripci?n de esta publicaci?n y otros recursos en Espa?ol)

School Garden Q&As United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Wed, Jul 29th, 2009
In this memo, USDA recently clarified that school food service funds may be used to purchase seeds, gardening tools, fertilizer, etc for school gardens. Such funds may also be devoted to starting and maintaining gardens on school property and schools are allowed to purchase produce from the gardens, even if the garden is managed and maintained by another school organization.

USDA Food & Nutrition Services - Regulations & Policy USDA Food & Nutrition Services
Wed, Jan 20th, 2010

California

Fresh Food Distribution Models for the Greater Los Angeles Region: Barriers and Opportunities to Fac Vanessa Zajfen
Sat, Mar 1st, 2008
The Center for Food & Justice has released the findings from a year-long planning grant titled Fresh Food Distribution Models for the Greater Los Angeles Region: Barriers and Opportunities to Facilitate and Scale Up the Distribution of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. The California Endowment funded CFJ for a year long planning grant to explore the most effective strategies and opportunities to scale up the distribution of locally grown fruits and vegetables in Southern California. Our work sought to identify solutions to barriers that have prevented more institutions from buying local and supporting local agriculture. Based on the project findings CFJ has developed multiple strategies to overcome identified barriers that will be undertaken by CFJ over the coming years. For a summary of the 5 distribution models that CFJ will be pursuing, please look for it under this section of publications. Please contact Vanessa Zajfen with any questions, comments or concerns.
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Georgia

Georgia Organics Local Food Guide
Thu, Dec 1st, -0001
Download our popular local food guide for a listing of farms, markets and businesses supporting sustainable foods and farms in Georgia. Great place to find a farmer for a school field trip!

Illinois

Farm Direct
Thu, Dec 1st, -0001
Farm Direct features 600 growers and processors and 200 farmers markets who sell directly to consumers. While we have done our best to include all the producers and processors that meet the criteria, we've probably overlooked someone. If you are, or know of, such a person, please contact us at 217-244-8160 or asap@uiuc.edu. If the farm meets the criteria, we'll include you in the online directory and in next year's print directory.

Iowa

Local Food Connections: Food Service Considerations Iowa State University Extension
Wed, Nov 30th, -0001
This publication provides farmers, school administrators, and institutional food-service planners with contact information and descriptions of existing programs that have made these connections between local farmers and local school lunchrooms, college dining halls, or cafeterias in other institutions. To help communities initiate similar programs, this publication includes resource lists

Revealing the Secrets of an all Iowa Meal Gary Huber and Andrea Woldridge
Mon, Mar 1st, 2004
A Case Study of the Local Food Brokering Project, Practical Farmers of Iowa. Funded by the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems Program, USDA.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Farms: 2010 Directory for School Food Services Massachusetts Farm to School Project
Wed, Jun 16th, 2010
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Minnesota

MN School Food Service Director Survey: Farm to School Minnesota School Nutrition Association and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Fri, Dec 19th, 2008
This survey was developed by the Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's (IATP) Local Foods Program to gauge the interest of Minnesota's K‐12 Food Service Directors in serving locally grown food. The results, summarized below, will inform the work of the MSNA Farm to School Task Force. A joint effort of IATP and MSNA, the Task Force was launched in fall 2008 to advance Farm to School efforts in Minnesota. The online survey was conducted over a one‐month period from mid‐November to mid‐December 2008. Roughly 20 percent of the School District Food Service Directors in Minnesota (69 out of 335) responded. For the purposes of this survey, "local" was defined as food that is grown or raised in Minnesota. Throughout the survey, respondents were asked to use a 1‐7 rating scale and the values are defined for each question.

Montana

Grow, Eat, and Know: A Resource Guide to Food and Farming in Missoula County Community Food & Agriculture Coalition
Mon, Dec 1st, 2003

As one component of the Missoula County Community Food Assessment, this guide is a collection of organizations, programs and businesses that are involved in the Missoula County food system--the complex web that incorporates all things food, from growing to distribution to eating.

Within the pages of the guide, you will find brief descriptions and contact information for a variety of groups. You'll find entries for agriculture and food assistance groups, but also for land trusts and business development. All these groups play an important part in supporting the Missoula County food system.

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Our Foodshed in Focus: Missoula County Food and Agriculture by the Numbers
Wed, Nov 30th, -0001
As one of our components of the MCCFA, this report utilizes existing statistical data, primarily from U.S. census reports and other government sources, to describe patterns in the local food system and how these have changed over time. Seven chapters, all authored by students, detail relevant trends in the following areas: demographics; agricultural production; environment; food distribution; employment in farming and food-related businesses; consumption; and food security and access. Each chapter also discusses why these trends might be occurring and explains why these measures are important.

Food Matters: Farm Viability and Food Consumption in Missoula County Community Food & Agriculture Coalition
Mon, Nov 1st, 2004


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New Jersey

USDA Procurement Policies Q&A
Fri, May 14th, 2010

USDA Food & Nutrition Service Commodity Program
Wed, Oct 7th, 2009

North Carolina

North Carolina Farm Fresh
Wed, Nov 30th, -0001
North Carolina Farm Fresh: North Carolina Farm Fresh is a directory of pick-your-own farms, roadside farm markets, and farmers markets throughout North Carolina. It is designed to help consumers find the freshest locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project Website
Wed, Nov 30th, -0001
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) is a non-profit organization that supports farmers and rural communities in the mountains of western North Carolina and the southern Appalachians by providing education, mentoring, promotion, web resources, and community and policy development. Our mission is to create and expand regional community-based and integrated food systems that are locally owned and controlled, environmentally sound, economically viable and health-promoting. Our vision is a future food system throughout the mountains of North Carolina and the southern Appalachians that provides a safe and nutritious food supply for all segments of society; that is produced, marketed and distributed in a manner that enhances human and environmental health; and that adds economic and social value to rural and urban communities.

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Food Connection 2003: A Directory of Agricultural Producers, Crops, and Institutional B Shawn Campbell
Thu, Dec 1st, -0001
The backbone of Oklahoma's rich heritage has always been the family farm, but due to consolidation and depressed prices, today's family farms are disappearing at an alarming rate. On October 16th, 2001, a group of Oklahomans charged by Oklahoma's Commissioner of Agriculture set out to reverse the course of this epidemic. Citing an opportunity to benefit Oklahoma farmers by opening new markets, the Oklahoma Food Policy Council was formed. The council is a joint project of the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.

Farm to School ? Tips, Tools & Guidelines for Food Distribution & Food Safety Chris Kirby, Rodney Holcomb, Lynn Brandenberger, William McGlynn & Anh Vo
Thu, Jan 21st, 2010
Since Farm to School is not a ?one size fits all? program, this manual was developed from surveys, research & experience to include tip & tools for successful Farm to School Distribution and simple food safety protocol to follow for farms, schools and school gardens. Two new downloadable calculators have been developed. Distribution Cost Calculator ? will help producers understand the true costs of produce delivery and assist in determining a ? farm gate? value for their crops and Produce Calculator ? which will help farmers and schools determine the amount of produce needed for the schools based on number of servings and will also calculate the per serving cost. For a hard copy of the manual, please contact Chris Kirby, chris.kirby@oda.state.ok.us

Oregon

Northeast Oregon Food and Farm Guide
Thu, Jul 29th, 2010
Northeast Oregon is home to a bounty of produce. With our online Food and Farm Guide you can find the information you need about local producers in Baker, Union and Wallowa Counties.

Pennsylvania

The New Farm: Farm to Farm Know How New Farm
Wed, Nov 30th, -0001
The New Farm: Farm to Farm Know How from the Rodale Institute provides access to a database of farms as part of a farm locator program. Specify your needs and the program will generate a list of farms that might be able to help you meet these needs. Access this link by clicking here. Or access information about farm to school programs through the New Farms site by clicking here.

Pennsylvania Agricultural Map: Promoting Pennsylvania Agriculture
Wed, Nov 30th, -0001
Ag Map: Pennsylvania’s Online Agricultural Directory.

Tennessee

Local Table Marne Duke and Lisa Shively
Thu, Dec 1st, -0001
A guide to food and farming in Middle Tennessee (A quartlery magazine format)

Washington

The Green Book Leslie Zenz, Kelli Sanger and David Wides
Sun, Jan 1st, 2006
This publication contains information about the regulatory landscape governing the sales of farm products in Washington State. It is a comprehensive guide to direct marketing strategies and contains an extensive resource section of organizations and relevant publications.
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Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program Website The Washington State Department of Agriculture
Wed, Nov 30th, 2005
The Washington State Department of Agriculture Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program offers technical assistance to farmers and institutional buyers in farm to cafeteria programs. Their website serves as an important farm to school resource.

Washington State Office of State Procurement Department of General Administration
Mon, Jan 1st, 2007
The Department of General Administration develops and administers contracts for goods and services on behalf of state agencies, colleges, universities, select non-profit organizations, and local governments.

Wisconsin

Farm Fresh Atlas REAP Food Group
Wed, Nov 30th, -0001
This atlas produced by REAP Food Group lists farms and food-related businesses that sell their goods directly to customers in southern Wisconsin and enables you to narrow your search by far, location, and product. Click here for more information