1. Local Food System Development
Addressing Food Sovereignty in Distressed Areas
(with Cooperatives and Food Hubs)
January 12, 2017
Cary Junior, General Manager, SouthEast Michigan Producers Association (SEMPA)

2. THE FOOD/AGRICULTURE ECONOMY
World - $4.8 trillion or 10% Global GDP, Forbes.com, 2007
US - $835 billion or 4.8% USGDP,USDA ERS 2014
Michigan - $101.2 billion or 24% SGDP, Pure Michigan, 2015
Detroit - $5.8 billion and 59,000 jobs, Detroit FPC, 2014
$6 billion/1 million populaton = $6,000/12 months = $500/month/person
Neighborhoods, Rural Community or Tribal Nations
$??????

4. Farm Systems Facts 9% of US population controls 66% of farmland
2% of US population are farmers (25% in 1933)
Four (4) corporations control
69% of US corn market
79% of the beef packing industry
Six (6) corporations control 50% of US retail food sales
Small business sustains the US economy, but big business controls it US Census

5. Environmental Issues Impacting Urban Areas
Air Pollution
Food Deserts
Industrial Sites/Waste Dumping
Urban Green Space
Lead Poisoning
Mercury Exposure
Climate Change
Water Safety
Heat
Transit Justice
The Grio, April 22, 2010

6. What is a Local (Small) Food System?
Production
Processing
Distribution
Consumption/Retail
Resource Recovery
The activities involved in producing, processing, transporting, storing,
selling, eating, and disposing of food locally.

7. Local Food System Model

8. Organization of Farmers/Producers/Ranchers
Agricultural Cooperatives and Producers Associations
- Formed to unite farmers, ranchers, or producers for the joint working of the land, equipment, output, marketing, processing, distributing and/or selling of farm products
- Democratically elected, grassroots, non-partisan, producer-run organization based on designated boundaries
- For profit or non profit
Cooperatives – each member votes for decisions
Association – Board elected by members makes decisions

9. Core Food Hub Components
Aggregation (unprocessed/packaged) pack house
Distribution
Full Processing and Packaging; Flash freezing
Commercial Kitchen(prepared/value added)
Storage (Dry and Cold)
Multiplier of $1 at farmers market results in $2.80 in the community’s economy

10. Food System Advantages and Challenges
Collective participation by local producers
Marketing to buyers made easy
“Brand” created thus community support enhanced
Opportunities created through component coordination
Challenges
Consistency is required in coordination, quality, capacity, and group pricing
Pricing still have to be market competitive
Multiplier of $1 at farmers market results in $2.80 in the community’s economy

11. Recommended Local Food System Markets
Smaller Volume Buyers
Restaurants, Caterers
Small Grocers, Food Co-ops
CSAs
Mobile Food Markets
Larger Volume Buyers
Pre K- 12 Schools (Public/Charter)
Colleges/Universities
Medical and Assisted Living Facilities
Correctional Facilities
Multiplier of $1 at farmers market results in $2.80 in the community’s economy

12. Requirements for General Markets
Food Safety
Food Safety Plan
State Certification
Group GAP
GAP
Classifications
Conventional
Organic/Naturally Grown
Certified Naturally Grown
Certified Organic
Multiplier of $1 at farmers market results in $2.80 in the community’s economy

13. A Detroit Collaboration
Potential Benefits
12 Members (16 Interested), 300 Acres
Build capacity, reproduce idle land and develop new farms
Establish transition plans
Utilize USDA programs
Challenges
No Markets
Lack confidence in Government
Former truckers, wholesale/resellers
Idle land surplus
No generational interest
A Detroit Collaboration

14. A Detroit Collaboration
NEW URBAN FARM COOPERATIVE
Advantages
46 potential Members
Organically certified
Experienced vending at farmers markets
Grassroots/community and “vulnerable” residents
Challenges
No Land access
No Markets
No entrepreneurial encouragement
A Detroit Collaboration

21. SEMPA Local Food System

22. SEMPA Local Food System Opportunities

23. LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM FOOD SOVEREIGNTY COOPERATIVE
PRODUCTION + FOOD HUB + MARKETS =
LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM
SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE + LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM + NUTRITION ED =
FOOD SOVEREIGNTY

24. So the QUESTION is….
What is your Neighborhood, Rural Community or Tribal Nation Food Economy??
1) Organize your Producer Cooperative/Association
2) Identify and Implement your Local Food System then
TAKE CONTROL OF IT!!!

25. THANK YOU !!!