Cooperatives in Local Food Systems Elisabeth Howard November 20, 2003 UW Center for Cooperatives Brown Bag Series

Cooperatives in Local Food Systems 1. Local Food Systems 2. One Area of Research: Institutions 3. My Masters Thesis Topic

Local Food Systems

The biophysical and socioeconomic processes and relationships involved in the production, processing, distribution, marketing, consumption and disposal of food.

“Where are we then?…”

“…We are embedded in a global food system structured around a market economy which is geared to the proliferation of commodities and the destruction of the local…”

“…We are faced with transnational agribusiness whose desire to extend and consolidate their global reach implies the homogenization of our food, our communities, and our landscapes…”

“…We live in a world in which we are ever more distant from each other and from the land, and so we are increasingly less responsible to each other and to the land…”

“…Where do we go from here?…”

“…How can we come home again?” (Kloppenberg, Stevenson, Hendrickson, 1996)

“In addition to yield potential, economic feasibility depends on the availability of outlets for the produce, the market price, and the cost of production.” (Colette & Wall, 1978)

Farmers Markets

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

On-Farm Markets

Grocery Stores

"We strive to work with ingredients that are cultivated in accordance with their natural cycles, and are grown in their native and adapted soils." “ Our inspiration is drawn from French and American cuisines, spotlighting locally grown, organic ingredients. ” Restaurants

Food Service

One area of research: How do farmers sell to local institutions? (grocery stores, restaurants, food service)

Between Farm and Institution Essential Intermediate Functions Cultivate relationships Brokerage Processing Distribution Who does this? 1. Non-Profits 2. For-Profits 3. Government Agencies 4. Cooperatives

Red Tomato 1998, Canton, MA Act as broker/distributor Sell to grocery stores Goal: To “reinvent local food systems”

Project Farm Fresh Start 1994, Hartford, CT Farms sell to school district food service Farms sell to school district food service Local wholesaler coordinates purchasing Local wholesaler coordinates purchasing

Iowa Farm Bureau Dining Facility West Des Moines, IA Loffredo Fresh Produce Company

Coordination between state Departments of Agriculture and US Department of Defense Use existing market expertise, quality assurance, and procurement and distribution systems DOD Fresh Produce Program ( North Carolina, Kentucky, New Jersey, others) Farm-to-School

1997, one school district Wash, chop, bag, weigh, deliver 2001, 15 school districts, 3 states

Postville, IA, 11 members Sell to group shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, health care facilities, school district, college, restaurants Online ordering Wash, process, deliver

South-central WI, 23 farms Sell to high-end restaurants in Madison, Milwaukee, Sheboygan and Chicago area Sell to high-end restaurants in Madison, Milwaukee, Sheboygan and Chicago area UW food service UW food service Madison Metropolitan School District Food Service Madison Metropolitan School District Food Service

Collaboration between UW, MMSD food service, local farmers, parents, teachers, community members Pilot project in three Madison schools in fall of 2003 Local ingredients from Home Grown Wisconsin in new menu options Special event meals

Thesis Topic

Compare Local Produce Marketing Options Farmers Markets On-Farm Markets CSA Institutions (restaurants, food service, grocery stores) Based On: Access Expected Returns Price Risk

ACCESS

EXPECTED RETURNS

PRICE RISK

Methods Personal interviews with farmers in south- central Wisconsin - Two different samples - Criteria

Qualitative questions (access, methods,objectives, obstacles, reasons) Quantitative questions (prices & costs) using five crops: carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, salad mix

Simulate Model of Typical Farm - Use price and cost information - Look at dynamic effects of changing certain variables (market access, risk aversion, etc.)

Expected Results Access to local markets will be an issue Farms use strategic mix of marketing options

Considerations: What is “local”? Geography Geography

Who will find this useful? Farmers - Help in sorting out decisions about production and marketing Those who promote local food systems - Are there inefficiencies or infrastructure needs that could be addressed

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