Browsing by Author "Lanthier, Karen"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Changing the Approach to Food Regulation in Minnesota
    (Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, 2016) Lanthier, Karen; Van Dyke, Stephanie
    Accommodating innovation and new business models in the local foods sector in Minnesota is important for increasing local communities’ access to a diversified, culturally appropriate food supply. Many startup food entrepreneurs have difficulty navigating complex, and sometimes contradictory, rules and regulations related to starting and growing a food business in Minnesota. Moreover, regulators are equally frustrated by the difficulties they face trying to explain complex regulations, the inconsistencies of interpretation between agencies, and systemic restraints that limit their ability to be effective educators. With the increase in small business growth, many innovative businesses have struggled to fit within existing food safety and regulatory requirements. Various piecemeal fixes have been created over the years, but the resulting system is cumbersome. To address these issues, the Bush Grant Advisory Committee (BGAC), a team of about 20 professionals who represent government agencies, community nonprofits, the University of Minnesota, and individual businesses oversaw the work of a Bush Community Innovation Grant Project. BGAC members examined potential regulatory and nonregulatory approaches to achieving the vision of a Minnesota system that promotes food safety and economic development through a user-friendly food business regulatory system which is coordinated, reliable and efficient. They developed consensus on structures or processes that may achieve the project goals, and developed strategies to change the environment around regulation in Minnesota.
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    Farm to Grocery Toolkit: Opening New Farm to Grocery Market Channels to Help Increase Access to Minnesota Specialty Crops and Local Foods
    (UMN Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, 2020-04) Olive, Ren; Jewett, Jane; Draeger, Kathryn; Lanthier, Karen
    Farm-to-Grocery provides opportunities for increased sales and market access. Diversified supply chains, such as farm-to-grocery, are important for a resilient food system. This farm-to-rural grocery toolkit is a resource for farmers and grocers to help facilitate the sale of farm-grown products to grocery stores, particularly those stores in rural Minnesota. The toolkit covers legality and methods of selling and buying local foods, includes a legal product checklist and various templates (labels, farm feature, invoicing), provides tips on building a successful business relationship, and guidance on processing local foods for sale.
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    Minnesota Rural Grocery Survey
    (2016) Tremper, Nich; Draeger, Kathryn; Lanthier, Karen; Mohr, Caryn
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    Retail Produce Handling Education for Rural Grocers & Specialty Crop Farmers
    (University of Minnesota Extension, 2016-10) Schweser, Greg; Lanthier, Karen; Tong, Cindy; Draeger, Kathryn
    Extension's Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships have partnered with the University of Minnesota Horticulture Department and local food researchers to develop a how-to guide for specialty crop farmers to sell their produce to rural grocers; develop a produce handling toolkit and deliver on-site training for rural grocers; and develop a specialty crop local food buying guide to encourage rural grocers to purchase locally grown specialty crops. This poster will highlight the results of this partnership and the benefits of these resources to farmers and grocers around the state.
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    RSDP The Student Foodie newsletter - Fall 2015
    (Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, 2015) Lanthier, Karen