Warren County CES

Title:

Local Food Systems

MAP:

Community & Economic Development

Agents Involved:

Julie Brown, Joanna Coles, Janet Turley & Kristin Hildabrand

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food System Development and Mapping

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Farmer's Markets

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Ag Marketing

Situation:

Local food continues to be in demand from consumers, restaurants, retail outlets and institutions (including schools). It is anticipated that sales of Kentucky food products will grow from $14 million in 2014 to $24 million in 2020. Consumers and contract buyers lack year round safe access to locally produced and/or processed foods. Extension serves as resource to provide training to insure locally grown food is safe, appropriate to meet local food demand, and meets purchasing compliance.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Increase in the number of vendors, variety of local food products, sales and/or profits at farmer’s markets, road side stands, or community supported agriculture
• Strong and diverse local food systems are integrated into community development efforts.
• Maintain or increase consumer confidence/ demand in local foods

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Certifications Earn certification(s) for:
o Redeeming USDA script (i.e. WIC or Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program)
o selling and /or providing samples at farmer’s markets
o Home Based Micro-processing
o Micro-processing
o USDA GAP
• Choose local food products when available
• Purchase local food and food products
Amend purchasing procedure to accommodate local food purchasing

Initial Outcomes:

• Increased awareness among general public, increased access to "local" foods; Communities begin listening sessions to discuss their goals in local foods; local land use and other policies supportive of new food initiatives
• Interpret food safety handling procedures
• Understand procedures for safe food processing

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge of local foods through access and handling

Indicator: Participation in educational training as well as an increase in consumers at the local farmers markets.

Method: Observation, participation logs

Timeline: July 2017 - June 2018

Intermediate Outcome: Increase in producer certifications and utilization of alternative funds for local produce.

Indicator: Increase in revenue by alternative funds and the amount of certifications received.

Method: Observation, participation logs, survey

Timeline: July 2016 - June 2018

Long-Term Outcome: Increased revenue for local producers; increasing the number of consumer and businesses purchasing local foods.

Indicators: Number of producers increasing revenue and amount of product sold.

Method: Observation, Word of Mouth and Survey

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Commercial Producers

Project or Activity: Home-based Micro-Processing

Content or Curriculum: Micro-Processing

Inputs: Materials, meeting rooms, test graders

Date: Spring 2018

Audience: Professionals in commercial horticulture

Project or Activity: Senior Farmers Market Trainings

Content or Curriculum: Seniors Farmers market curriculum from KDA

Inputs: Handout materials, meeting rooms

Date: Ongoing throughout the year

Audience: Professionals in commercial & sustainable horticulture

Project or Activity: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

Content or Curriculum: GAP curriculum from KDA & KY Div. of Public Health

Inputs: Handout materials, meeting rooms

Date: Ongoing throughout the year

Audience: Farmers and Consumers

Project or Activity: Farmer’s Market

Content or Curriculum: Commercial vegetable gardening

Inputs: Speakers, material

Date: Throughout the year

Audience: : Low Income Senior Citizens & Adults, Adults & School Aged Youth

Project or Activity: Taste of the Farmers Market

Content or Curriculum: KY Proud Recipe Cards, Food Stamp Nutrition Education,

Nutrition Education Calendars

Inputs: Agent’s Time, Staff Assistant’s Time, table, serving products, recipe cards,

produce

Date: Summer 2016

Audience: Consumers

Project or Activity: KY Farms KY Flavors

Content or Curriculum: Meet the Farmer & Commodity

Inputs: Agent’s Time, Staff Assistant’s Time, YouTube

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Food Entrepreneurs

Project or Activity: Community Kitchen Development & Technical Assistance

Content or Curriculum: Feasibility Study, Workshops on Food Entrepreneurship

Inputs: Agent’s Time, Staff Assistant’s Time, Partnerships in Food

Date: Ongoing