Strategies for Building Locally Based Food Systems in Illinois Communities

A Checklist for Purchasing Local Produce — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 25, 2008 10:50 AM

Purchasing fruits and vegetables from local producers is one way to be sure products arefresh, help the local economy, and raise children’s awareness of food. As the person in charge of School Meals Programs, you have a responsibility to ensure the safety of foods served. Follow these steps to demonstrate reasonable care has been taken for procurement of foods.

AChecklistforPurchasingLocalProduce.pdf — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 03, 2008 11:49 PM

 

How to work with producers who want to sell locally grown products in a grocery store — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 03, 2008 11:51 PM

Advice from Mark Steffen, Manager of Dave’s Supermarket, Fairbury IL: How to work with producers who want to sell locally grown products in a grocery store steffen@gridcom.net

Beyond the Farmers Market PDO — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 03, 2008 11:52 PM

Getting Started Round table notes

Consumer Interest in Food Systems Topics: Implications for Educators — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 03, 2008 11:53 PM

Abstract: To assist consumers in understanding food system issues and to help them make informed choices, educators first need to engage their interests. To identify widely held consumer interests, focus groups informed a random sample survey conducted in the Central Coast region of California. Survey respondents reported the most interest in the safety and nutrition of their food, as well as in the external impacts of how their food was produced. Correlational analysis was used to explore characteristics and behaviors associated with these interests. The results offer strategies for public issues educators to target or structure food system related education initiatives.

Local Foods in Stephenson County — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:08 AM

A Presentation by Margaret Larson, Director Also viewable @ http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=d7xzw54_126cd6b82cp

Selling Strategies for Local Food Producers — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 03, 2008 11:57 PM

 

Why Buy Local? Defining a local or community-based food system — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 03, 2008 11:59 PM

Leslie Cooperband University of Illinois, Laboratory for Community and Economic Development Human & Community Development Department

test3 — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:09 AM

 

Building a Sustainable Local Food System — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:11 AM

Carrie Edgar University of Illinois Extension - Adams/Brown Unit

Local Foods in Stephenson County — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:12 AM

For the past three years, the University of Illinois Extension-Stephenson County has been engaged in local foods-related activities, including programming, events, community facilitation, education and public awareness. Work in this area provides an opportunity for programming that highly complements the four core areas of Extension (Youth and 4-H, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community and Economic Development, and Agriculture and Natural Resources). Staff and enthused volunteers have integrated all four areas with local foods initiatives partnering with area organizations. Foremost in this effort is leading the Northwest Illinois Local Foods Task Force, with a mission of “enhancing consumer awareness of and producer capabilities for expanding the local foods system.”

How to Walk the Talk of Local –Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant Facilitator — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:13 AM

Local Foods PDO Round Table Discussion Summary

Local Foods PDO Round Table Discussion Summary: Assessment Tools — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:14 AM

 

Local Foods PDO Round Table Discussion Summary: Identifying Resources — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:14 AM

 

Northeast Iowa Local Food Survey: Summary Report — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:16 AM

This report summarizes the initial findings of a survey of institutional buyers in a five-county region in Northeast Iowa. Staff members at nearly 140 institutions answered questions about product and purchasing attributes, advantages to local purchases, purchasing patterns of local food products, and demographic characteristics.

Notes from Starved Rock Discussion group 2 — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:17 AM

facilitated by Carrie Edgar

Developing a Vibrant and Sustainable Regional Food System: Suggestions for Community-Based Groups — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:19 AM

 

Highlights of information discussed during Round Table Discussions of the Local Food Systems Topics—Starved Rock Lodge (2-11-08) and University of Illinois Springfield (2-13-08) locations — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 12:21 AM

 

Highlights of information discussed during Round Table Discussions of the Local Food Systems Topics — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 11:20 AM

Starved Rock Lodge (2-11-08) and University of Illinois Springfield (2-13-08) locations

Food Miles and Consumer Perceptions of Locally Grown Foods — by Melissa McEwen — last modified March 04, 2008 11:24 AM

SNE conference, Rich Pirog, Marketing and Food Systems Program Leader, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture