cooperatives in local food systems elisabeth howard november 20, 2003 uw center for cooperatives...
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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 The biophysical and socioeconomic processes and socioeconomic processes and relationships involved in the relationships involved in the
production, processing, production, processing, distribution, marketing, distribution, marketing,
consumption and disposal of food.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
• DistributionWho does this?1. Non-Profits2. For-Profits3. Government Agencies4. Cooperatives
Red TomatoRed Tomato
• 1998, Canton, MA
• Act as broker/distributor
• Sell to grocery stores
• Goal: To “reinvent local food systems”
Project Farm Fresh StartProject Farm Fresh Start
• 1994, Hartford, CT1994, Hartford, CT
• Farms sell to school district food serviceFarms sell to school district food service
• Local wholesaler coordinates purchasingLocal 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 ProgramDOD Fresh Produce Program((North Carolina, Kentucky, New Jersey, others)North Carolina, Kentucky, New Jersey, others)
Farm-to-SchoolFarm-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 farmsSouth-central WI, 23 farms
• Sell to high-end restaurants in Sell to high-end restaurants in Madison, Milwaukee, Sheboygan Madison, Milwaukee, Sheboygan and and Chicago areaChicago area
• UW food serviceUW food service
• Madison Metropolitan School District Madison Metropolitan School District Food ServiceFood 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:Considerations:• What is “local”?What is “local”?
• GeographyGeography
Who will find this useful?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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