Natural Foods Danielle Dahl, Abby Sline, Megan Bast, Savannah Edler

Q: How many of you know the difference between locally grown and globally produced food? Q: How many of you know how many miles the food you eat everyday has traveled prior to being placed on shelves?

Global Food Producer  Processors/Manufactures  Shippers  Retailers  Consumers Global food is defined as food that has traveled more than 400miles to be put onto shelves and sold. This concept looses the initial freshness of the food; in fact, most produce is picked 4 to 7 days before being placed on supermarket shelves. When we buy food globally, we loose all control of our foods quality and pureness.  Encourages globalization  Destroys and pollutes Earth’s water and soil  Hugely unsustainable  Threatens security of our food; exposes food to e-Coli, GMO and other health scares Global food production will soon not be our choice, it is possible now only because energy and fuel prices are low, when resources start to dwindle government will step in and it will be a necessity to buy close to home. This could be avoided in the first place by buying local now and saving our communities and environment.

Local Food Producer/Retailer  Consumer Local food is defined as food in its final selling stage produced in or near the same region as it is purchased directly by consumer, so that the total distance the product has been transported is less than 400miles.  Preserves the environment  Saves Earth’s natural resources; when buying local there is no need to use fuel and energy on transportation  Very sustainable  Strengthens community Locally grown food is not necessarily unprocessed or organic. However, food locally grown and organic is considered better for you than certified organic but not locally grown. Food looses its nutritional value and natural vitamins as well as digestive enzymes when bought globally.

“There are countless reasons why buying local food is both rewarding and delicious, including enjoying the taste of fresh food, improved health and nutrition, environmental stewardship, support for family farms and rural communities, and ensuring animal welfare.” “Only 18 cents of every dollar, when buying at a large supermarket, go to the grower. 82 cents go to various unnecessary middlemen. Cut them out of the picture and buy your food directly from your local farmer” (Spence, Steve)

Fair Trade If products are not available locally or regionally, look for items produced in the United States.  When shopping for more exotic foods such as chocolate, coffee, or bananas, look for products labeled “Fair Trade” or “Rainforest Alliance Certified.”  Fair trade means that farmers and farm workers in developing nations receive a fair price for their product, work directly with buyers, and prioritize sustainable farming methods without forced child labor and the use of a dozen of the most harmful pesticides.  To be fair trade certified, products must be grown by small-scale producers who are able organize themselves in either cooperatives or unions. Fair trade products and companies are certified by independent third parties like Trans Fair USA or Fair Trade Labeling Organization International. Companies selling fair trade products have also shown commitment to helping the farmers they work with develop long-term sustainable communities and businesses.

Benefits of Eating by the Season  Better, riper taste  Fresh and local foods are more nutritious containing more vitamins and digestive enzymes  Cheaper prices from the high availability of food when in season  Energy properties of foods are balanced (warm foods in the cold months, cold foods in the warm months)  Less chemicals and genetic modifiers needed for production  As food is refined or processed its nutritional and energetic value decreases. Local, in season food requires less procession and refinement. Buy smart and save money by buying local foods in season!

Summer  Vegetables: bell pepper, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, greens, mushrooms, potatoes, zucchini  Fruits: apricots, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cherries, figs, nectarines, peaches plums, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon

Fall Vegetables: beets, broccoli, eggplant, greens, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips Fruits: apples, cranberries, figs, grapes, pears, plums

Winter Vegetables: artichokes, avocados, broccoli, brussle sprouts, cabbage, celery, potatoes, pumpkin, turnips Fruits: bananas, blood oranges, clementines, passion fruit, tangerine

Spring Vegetables: artichoke, asparagus, carrots, cauliflower, onion, spinach, spring greens Fruits: raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries

Where to Buy? Grocery The Free Market (Appleton, WI) Family owned organic grocery store, support local foods and offer products from local companies as well as partnering with local farmers. The Red Radish (Neenah, WI) Enthusiastic source of natural and organic foods, including locally grown produce, a fresh juice bar, large grocery selection, local grass-fed meats and wild salmon, bulk foods and spices, vitamins, herbs and supplements. You'll also find natural hair and skin care products, home cleaning products, books and natural pet care. Farm Markets Downtown Appleton Farm Market (Appleton, WI) This 3 block Farm Market has over 100 vendors ranging from completely organic produce to free-range meats and specially cultivated flowers and hand-made crafts and jewelry. All produce is locally grown and is grown by the selling farmer.  Hopefully will have a guide available

The Process  Confused about goal  Informational Booklet with all-natural recipes o Website, blog, brochure?  Local Foods Week/Day  Local Foods in School Store  Local Natural Foods in School Store  Appointment at Free Market o Business Plan  Partnership!

(continued…)  Changed plans slfhisdkfhes! o Natural foods in school store o Natural foods cart o Natural foods in ACA wing!  To start out, four brands  Suggestion box  Located in the work room hours (to be determined)  Service Learning Opportunity!!Featuring…

Beverages Flavors: Passion, Calm and Organic Chai Flavors: Strawberry Banana, Mighty Mango, Berry Blast

Snacks Flavors: Cookies ‘n Cream Flavors: PBJ, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate

Struggles Our final product, the end in mind  Book  Foods Week  “Local” vs. “Natural” Business Plan  Kept forgetting it  Kept changing it Overall Result  Extremely messy  Headache inducing

Summary  Difference between locally grown and global food o Effects and benefits o Sustainability, environmentally friendly o Where to find o What to look for  Seasonal food  Business & Marketing  Overall…