Building a Local Food

System Part 2: What We Have Learned

NE Iowa Food & Fitness InitiativeNE IA Food & Farm Coalition

February 2008

•Sold $915,000 of food directly to consumers.•2nd Allamakee: $329,000•7th Winneshiek: $282,000•29 apple orchards•47 vegetable farms

•Source: 2002 Ag Census

•$3.5 million in organic sales•10% of the certified organic farms in Iowa•26% of the total organic sales for the state

State Ranking: Organic Sales•1st Winneshiek•2nd Allamakee•6th Howard•8th Clayton

•Source: 2002 Ag Census

•7 restaurants, 2 institutions started serving local food •Increased local food events and farmers markets •Increased number of farmers starting or expanding food enterprises•Food coop membership grew by 350 members and are opening a new store triple in size. 23% of product sales is local food

Source: 2007 Base-Line Survey

Direct market meat products Eggs

Direct market fruit and vegetables

CSAs

Produce Auction

NE Iowa Region

18,622

14,67521,305

22,002

9,916

86,520 people3312 square miles

Map Source: Keystone AEAOur Schools…

County Food at home

(million $)

Food away from home (million $)

Total (million $)

Allamakee 19 14 33Clayton 24 19 43Fayette 28 22 50Howard 13 10 23Winneshiek 25 19 44Total 109 (56%) 84 (44%) 193

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Dollars Spent on Food each YearTotal Income = $1.29 Billion

Food Million dollars

Meats, poultry, fish and eggs $24 M

Fruits & vegetables $22 M

Cereals and bakery products $15 M

Dairy Products $13 M

Other food products (includes sweets, fats, oils)

$35 M

Total $109 M

Food Eaten at Home:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Direct Food Sales = $ 1 M

$1 M / = 1%

Full Service Grocery Stores

Small grocery stores

Convenience Stores

Farmers Markets

Produce Auction

CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture)

71% had heard of locally produced food before receiving the questionnaire

Of those who had heard of this concept, 58% usually shop local, if available

On average, the farthest distance respondents are willing to travel to obtain locally produced foods is 30.1 miles

51% of respondents strongly agreed with the statement “I trust farmers/producers in my local area to grow and offer safe food”

Household Survey results: Awareness

48% “Would purchase locally produced foods, but unable to find them”

52% “Will go out of their way to purchase locally produced foods”

76% of respondents reported they would be more likely to purchase locally produced foods if they were available in their local grocery store

Household Survey Results: Availability

41% said locally grown food would be appealing to their customers.

57% said they currently use locally grown food61% said they are not purchasing or stopped

purchasing local food products Due to lack of access or availabilityHad not been approached by local farmer/processorDid not know who to contact

Institutional Survey –November 2006

35% said state codes and regulations were a barrier

Price of local food is a barrierOnce barriers are removed, 85% said they would

purchase local food. Buyers reported they would be willing to pay 12%

more.

Institutional Survey –November 2006

What have we learned?The look and significance of agriculture in NE IAThe opportunities in food productionConsumers and Institutions will support a local food

systemIdentified the barriers to local food use