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Home My WebLink About[05c] BusinessCITY OF ST. JOSEPH www.cityofstjoseph.com DATE: September 21, 2011 MEMO TO: St. Joseph Economic Development Authority Administrator FROM: Cynthia Smith - Strack, Municipal Development Group Judy Weyrens RE: Neighborhood Fresh Fare Today & Everyday ( NFFTE) Initiative Mayor Rick Schultz Background Councilors Over the past several months you've on occasion received information regarding an effort to facilitate the purposing of locally produced food in institutional The Steve Frank cafeterias. initiative is one of the EDA's 2011 goals and has been included in with capital projects. Bob Loso Renee Symanietz Since we last addressed this issue I've had an opportunity to speak openly with several local farmers Dale Wick and ISD 742 representatives regarding such an initiative. It seems interest in the initiative exists. Therefore, it would appear we are ready to take the next step. EDA Carolyn Yaggie- As previously identified, the EDA's roles would be to: Heinen Ken Jacobson 1. Facilitate a NFFTE network Chad Davey Tom Skahen 2. Attempt to match needs with resources Dale Wick Several months ago we discussed bringing producers and end users together in an informational, networking session. ISD 742's Nutritionist has offered to coordinate host facility. I've drafted materials for your review /approval. Please find attached a meeting flyer to be sent to all producers on file & food service contacts, a presentation for the meeting, and a series of questions to review with producers and end users. At this time a guest speaker would not be part of the meeting component. Action: This item is for your review, discussion, comment, and authorization. Producers Are you interested in farm to cafeteria, ala carte? What do you need to get started? Do you know what products cafeterias are looking for? Do you need help to expand the growing season? Finding addl products? Do you need storage capacity? Do cafeterias need additional processing? Do you need to ensure product safety and quality? Do you have adequate insurance? Do you need help with contracts and payment terms? Is delivery of a product to a specific location a concern? Do you need marketing help? Is acceptance by students a concern? End Users Are you interested in farm to cafeteria, ala carte? What do you need to get started? Do you know what local products are available? Do you know when local products are available? Do you need help creating contract documents? Do you need to ensure product safety and quality? What do producers have to have for insurance to be adequate? Does your staff need training? Recipes? Do you need food processing prior to arrival? Do you need information for on site food processing? Do you need products delivered to a certain location, is delivery a concern? Is acceptance by students a concern? We Need You to Help Cultivate Good Taste! WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2,6:00 P.M. KENNEDY COMMUNITY SCHOOL 1300 JADE ROAD, ST. JOSEPH MN 56374 The St. Joseph Economic Development Authority wants to bring local food producers, processors and end users together to increase the amount of fresh foods used at schools and colleges. We've surveyed producers and end users and would now like you to meet face to face to talk about a NFFTE (nifty) project - an effort to bring diners Neighborhood Fresh Fare Today & Everyday. You must attend this meeting if you would like to sell products to local end - users, if you can help process foods efficiently, or if you would like to offer more locally produced foods to your students and diners. Our goals are to enhance links between local producers and cafeterias and to identify needs and match those needs to appropriate resources. • 4 ■ r ° 9/21/2011 NFFTE: Understanding What It's All About. ❑ Developing links between local farmers and institutions ❑ Furthering community sustainability ❑ Positive economic and social impacts Role of Economic Development Authority. ❑ Facilitate NFFTE network ❑ Attempt to match needs with resources 9/21/2011 Q Why EDA Interested: ❑ Spending on local food sources stimulates the local economy by re- circulating and multiplying food dollars in the community ❑ Research proves local food systems are great economic engines ❑ St. Joseph has heavy institutional presence, potential processing capacity, & active Farmer's Market (cluster strategy) ❑ Presence of St. Joseph Food Cooperative and Minnesota Street Market as potential catalyst for distribution, grading /insurance venue, and /or farmer cooperative 2 9/21/2011 Community Food System Source: Garrett and Feenstra. 1999. Growing a Community Food System, Community Ventures Series. SREP0135. NFFTE Program could include: ❑ Local food featured in school and college meals ❑ Farmers' market salad y r, bar ❑ Increased a la carte fare and choice ❑ Food service visits to _ farms — farmer visits to cafeterias ❑ Harvest events ❑ School gardens ❑ Processing of farm grown foods locally 3 r •" Tr, 9/21/2011 oil 4 9/21/2011 N E T W O R K N