Northwest Illinois Local Foods

Task Force

Established in early 2005 with the goal of enhancing awareness of local foods in Stephenson County and the region, the Task Force was developed by Extension staff, the Farm Bureau Manager, and the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society Sustainable Agriculture Committee.

          The Task Force expanded this year to include a variety of volunteers, including Master Gardeners, Farmers Market Vendors, a Stephenson County Ag Breakfast representative, local producers, area business people, a Freeport Alderman, and others. Efforts have been funded by SARE Grants and contributions from Freeport Community Foundation, State Extension, and Stephenson County Extension.

Freeport Farmers Market

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Initiated by the Northwest Illinois Local Foods Task Force, the market was established May 2006 after the success of a one-day market in 2005. Extension hired a half-time academic hourly to facilitate start up, develop a systematic approach to meeting local foods needs, and explore grant-based funding and other means of financial sustainability. We received a SARE Grant to assist with the education of Extension staff, to fund the hiring of a market manager, and to develop support materials.

          We began recruiting vendors in January 2006, by offering informational meetings and Extension educational programs. Vendor meetings resulted in the development of policies and regulations for the market, emphasizing a focus on locally grown products and locally produced foods. The Stephenson County Health Department was also involved in the start-up phase and continues to advise the Market.

          With eight full-season vendors and many other weekly vendors, the Market served over 4,000 customers from May to October, 2006. The 2007 season featured 14 full-season vendors and many weekly vendors; customer traffic increased and vendors reported increased revenues.

          In 2007, a vendor served as volunteer market manager, while Extension continued to provide promotion and marketing through press releases, radio interviews, and displays at area events. Extension also serves as the fiscal agent and contact for the market. Plans are underway for winter planning meetings to finalize dates, policies and regulations for the 2008 market season.

Local Foods Symbol

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The purpose of the local foods symbol is to establish an identity for the local foods initiative launched June 2007. It is used on materials that raise awareness and at the point-of-purchase to draw attention to foods grown/raised locally. The Task Force developed guidelines for use of the symbol and made it available on decals, buttons, and a banner for use by restaurants, grocers, caterers, Market vendors and others.

Local Foods Directory

In 2006, Extension began partnering with the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society on this listing, which now features over 40 area producers with direct market food products. Extension staff assists with identifying and interviewing potential participants, printing, and distributing the directory throughout our community.

Community Gardening

Freeport Neighborhood Gardening Project

Plant a Row for the Hungry

In 2005, the Freeport Neighborhood Gardening Project began with one dedicated community volunteer, a Master Gardener, and Extension Staff. This project is now a self-sustaining community garden with 15 individual plots, a 40 x 60 plot producing food for a local food pantry, and a market garden to raise produce to be sold at the Farmers Market. We have received over $2,500 in donations from the Community Foundation to sustain and enhance the activities of this project.

          Also in 2005, Extension began to promote the national Plant a Row for the Hungry program. Last season, over 22,000 pounds of produce were donated, including produce from the community garden and items donated by Market vendors.

Cooking Demos

Annually, we present a “Gifts from the Garden” cooking demonstration for about 30 community members at Joys of Gardening. In August 2007, Extension staff conducted a cooking demonstration at the Freeport Farmers Market, using “straight from the vendor” produce and offering sampling to market customers. A local Chef performed a gourmet cooking demonstration featuring locally grown produce at the county Visitor’s Center in September.

Educational Programs and Outreach

Extension educational programs related to Local Foods included the Master Food Preserver Training (Summer 2006), 101 Alternative Enterprises for Your Farm (Spring 2005, Fall 2006), Annie’s Project (Winters, 2006-2007), Planting Your Garden with Preserving in Mind (Spring 2006), Serve It Safely (two locations in Spring 2007), as well as sessions each year at Joys of Gardening. In addition, we have made presentations to church groups, SWCD Board, Farm Bureau Board, service organizations, the Stephenson County Board, and other communities interested in starting a farmers market.

The

Bounty of the County Exhibit

In August 2007, Extension worked with the owner of Learn Great Foods, an agri-tourism business in Northwest Illinois, to install an exhibit called “A Bounty of the County” at the Visitor’s Center. The display featured maps with local food providers highlighted, a display on Food Preservation, photos and information about area Farmers Markets, local foods directories, and informational pieces such as “Why Buy Local” and the “Local Foods Reading List.” This display can be replicated.

Raleigh Revitaliz-ation Project

Food Team

Extension continues to work on local efforts to bring life back to downtown Freeport through the revitalization of the Raleigh site. Extension provides information about local food activities and projects to the Raleigh Food Team and is involved in the planning for the restaurant/public market/commercial kitchen-business incubator project. Currently, Extension is partnering with the city on obtaining grant funding to support a feasibility study for the Northwest Illinois Agricultural Entrepreneurship Center. This study will be conducted by regional Extension specialists and local staff.

Evaluation

In early 2006, data was collected from approximately 200 individuals who attended sessions at Joys of Gardening, Annie’s Project, and Food for Thought. This provided information about the need for a local-only farmers market, educational support and programming, interest in a commercial kitchen/business incubator, and other related activities. In 2006, the Farmers Market manager tracked customer traffic each week, giving us a baseline look at weekly activity and trends. We also developed and compiled a customer survey, which was completed by about 50 customers in August 2006. Vendors completed a season evaluation, which included suggestions to be implemented in the 2007 season. In summer 2007, feedback in the form of a survey and evaluation, was collected to be used in planning the 2008 market season.