Community Resources

Discussions and models of local food systems in our communities

Beyond the Farmers' Market: Planning for Local Food Systems In Illinois — by Sarah Hultine — last modified July 31, 2008 04:01 PM

A detailed guide to supporting the development of local food producers, processors, and markets in your community

Why Buy Local? Defining a local or community-based food system — by Leslie Cooperband — last modified June 13, 2008 06:27 PM

This PowerPoint presentation provides an argument for supporting a community-based food system. It examines the differences between a local, or community-based, food system and the "global" food system. It also outlines the key elements that constitute a local food system. The guide discusses results from surveys on Illinois producers, institutional food buyers, and consumers. Discusses what makes a farmers' market successful, and options for retailing locally produced food in grocery stores. Concludes with a discussion of engaging community stakeholders for planning a community-based food system

Highlights from the Local Food System round table discussions at Starved Rock Lodge (2-11-08) and University of Illinois Springfield (2-13-08) — by Local Food Groups — last modified June 12, 2008 07:06 PM

The round table discussions covered the following LFS topics: why support local foods and why now, defining locally grown/processed, the challenges and strategies of sourcing local foods for meetings, what it means to assess a community food system, producer issues, institutional food buying issues, tips on creating a successful farmer’s market, local food policy, identifying community resources, and outlining goals/criteria for success. The names of the Extension staff who facilitated the discussion are in parenthesis next to the topic title.

Local Foods in Stephenson County — by Margaret Larson, Extension Director of Stephenson County, IL — last modified June 12, 2008 07:44 PM

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.”

Building a Sustainable Local Food System — by Carrie Edgar University of Illinois Extension - Adams/Brown Unit — last modified June 12, 2008 07:50 PM

Carrie Edgar University of Illinois Extension - Adams/Brown Unit

List of Sustainable Ag, Ag Entrepreneurship, farmer directories, and statistical/data resources — by Andy Larson — last modified June 20, 2008 02:26 PM

After the conference, I know that the last thing you feel like you need right now is more information, but, inevitably, new questions on marketing, processing and food systems will come up. I wanted to provide you with some great places to start looking for answers. Best of luck to you! Feel free to get in touch with me or anyone else with Extension’s Initiative for the Development of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture (IDEA). Andy Larson, formerly of I of I Extension, created this list while working on a number of related program in 2006.