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Home My WebLink About[03] MN Street Market, NFFTE Program Administrator DATE: November 27, 2011 Judy Weyrens MEMO TO: St. Joseph Economic Development Authority Mayor FROM: Cynthia Smith-Strack, Municipal Development Group Rick Schultz Councilors RE: Guests: CSB and SJU Representatives Steve Frank Lindsay Wimmer, CSB Sustainability Fellow Bob Loso Nick Moe, SJU Sustainability Fellow Renee Symanietz Dave Schoenberg, SJU Director of Dining and Events Dale Wick Jeff Chounard, SJU Executive Chef EDA At the October regular meeting the EDA Board heard from Ms. Katie Foley, the Mn. Street Market Carolyn Yaggie- Manager. Foley and the EDA discussed efforts to facilitate links between local farm producers and Heinen institutions. The EDA continues to plan an event which would bring farm producers and end users Steve Frank together to discuss needs vs. resources and to allow an opportunity for networking. The EDA is very Chad Davey intent on making such a meeting beneficial and meaningful to all those attending. Tom Skahen Dale Wick During the discussion with Ms. Foley, the EDA Board requested a pre-farm producers/end user event discussion with stakeholders from end-user groups. The EDA directed the discussion occur at the next regular meeting (November, 2011). The EDA directed Strack to work with Foley to organize th an off-site EDA meeting at the Minnesota Street Market on November 30 at 3 p.m. Officials from environmental offices and sustainability directors in addition to food service providers were to be invited. To those ends, we have reached out to local institutions. The following is offered as background The purpose of the information/discussion context for both the EDA and planned guests. th November 30 discussion is to establish rapport between stakeholders, gauge support for NFFTE concept, and to outline potential obstacles/hurdles/barriers to a successful NFFTE program from institutions’ perspectives. DISCUSSION CONTEXT Neighborhood Fresh Fare Today & Everyday (NFFTE) Background The EDA has been working on a local food producer to institution program to make available Neighborhood Fresh Fare Today & Everyday (NFFTE). If successful our NFFTE effort will: 1. Develop links between local farmers and intuitions 2. Further the sustainability of our community/area 3. Have a positive impact on our local economy and society EDA’s Roll in NFFTE (a) The EDA’s role in NFFTE is specific and limited. The EDA role is twofold: to facilitate the (b) formation of a NFFTE network (producers, processors, end users) and to attempt to match needs with resources. November 30, 2011 EDA Meeting Agenda Item 3(a) Why EDA Is Interested in NFFTE Program 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 NFFTE network base Holistic approach to community sustainability: nutritional benefits, agricultural land/scenic  vista preservation, community supported agriculture, sustainable food supply, strengthens of community connections/ties A Successful NFFTE Program could include: More local food featured in school and college meals  Farmers’ market salad 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  ACTION: Discussion with guests. November 30, 2011 EDA Meeting Agenda Item 3(a)