Browsing by Author "Olive, Ren"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    2019-2020 Minnesota Rural Grocery Survey Report
    (2020-11-20) Olive, Ren; Draeger, Kathryn; Kim, Hye-Young; Hanawa Peterson, Hikaru; Jarvi, Monica; Park, Dojin; Jorgenson, Alma
    Rural grocery stores are anchor businesses in communities of 2,500 or fewer residents that provide a full range of fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable foods. When rural grocery stores go out of business, they are generally difficult to reopen, impacting the well-being of the surrounding community. While working with communities across Greater Minnesota, the University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) observed that the needs of rural grocery stores were not adequately identified and supported. To gain a deeper understanding about this sector, RSDP worked with the UMN Center for Survey Research to conduct a statewide survey of rural grocers between May and October 2019. This survey builds on a 2015 Rural Grocery Survey also administered by RSDP, and it was designed to better understand rural grocers’ business conditions and gather information on store characteristics, competition, locally grown food, business motivations, collaborative relationships, and infrastructure. The survey was mailed to 250 identified grocery stores in communities with 2,500 or fewer residents. Of that, 15 were determined to be ineligible due to closure or discontinuation of grocery service. Of the 235 eligible grocery stores, completed surveys were received from 129 for a response rate of 55%. The data collected is assembled into four key themes that emerged from the survey: 1) Stores as businesses and community anchors, 2) Competition for food dollars, 3) Grocering local food, and 4) Stores as food system innovators.
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    COVID-19/Emergency 14-Day Meal Kit for Rural Grocery Stores
    (UMN Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, 2020-03-19) Draeger, Kathryn; Gold, Abby; Olive, Ren
    This fact sheet provides guidance on 14-day meal kits that can be deployed from rural grocery stores to community members who need to isolate themselves in the face of COVID-19.
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    Farm to Fridge: The Exploration of Postharvest Refrigeration Needs and Opportunities Among Minnesota Produce Farmers and Rural Grocery Stores
    (2023-12) Olive, Ren
    To grow more farms and support local food systems the infrastructure needs of beginning and small/mid-size farmers warrants attention. Postharvest refrigeration is known to provide benefits to farmers, buyers, and consumers via improved food safety, longer sales windows, and reduced food waste. This research explores the feasibility of a "farm-to-fridge" model, exploring the potential for produce farmers to lease or rent existing cold storage space in rural grocery stores situated in communities with populations of less than 2,500. To fill gaps in knowledge, the cold storage and refrigeration needs of a sample of beginning and small/mid-size Minnesota produce farmers and the availability of cold storage in rural grocery stores are assessed. Cold storage is positioned within the broader context of infrastructure and critical support for local food system development through a concise overview of U.S. local food system development. Data collection methods used include a survey of 78 Minnesota produce farmers, interviews with four beginning produce farmers, and a survey of 138 rural grocery stores (located in communities with less than 2,500 people). Results show that while a desire for increased cold storage is clearly articulated by both beginning and seasoned Minnesota produce farmers, surveyed farmers and grocers were less certain about using shared cold storage space through the “farm to fridge” model due to limitations in space at the stores and logistical barriers. This research utilizes a mixed method approach and applies the framework of sustainability (or the nexus of prosperous community, economics, and environment) to analyze findings from data collection. Three themes of analysis emerged, which include the impact of refrigeration on perceived business success as it relates to 1) Social/Community: Lifestyle and Interactions with the Community, 2) Economics: Profitability of the Farm, and 3) Environment: Farm Practices and Food Waste. Recommended areas for future research and action are outlined into three categories that include changes in public funded programs, building trust between Extension and beginning and small/mid-size produce farmers, and strengthening buying relationships between produce farmers and rural grocery stores.
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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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    Farm to Grocery: Factsheet for Grocers
    (2021-09) Olive, Ren; Draeger, Kathryn; Jewett, Jane; Schweser, Greg
    Local farms are an approved source for food products, and it is legal for grocers to purchase local foods directly from farmers. This factsheet serves as a quick reference guide for purchasing local food products.
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    Halal and Kosher Minnesota Meat Market Assessment: Analysis, Implications and Recommendations
    (UMN Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, 2020-01) Kagan, Ariel; Draeger, Kathryn; Olive, Ren
    Halal and kosher meat markets offer untapped opportunities for Minnesota farmers to diversify and expand their markets and for new and emerging farmers to become involved in food production. In order to do so there is a need to describe the landscape of the halal and kosher markets. This report provides an overview, criteria, barriers, and consumer concerns and preferences.
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    Tips for Small Town Stores: Curbside Pickup and Delivery Model
    (UMN Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, 2020-03-24) Draeger, Kathryn; Olive, Ren
    Grocery stores are not only the backbone of our communities, they are also the frontline for community resources during emergencies. This tip sheet provides basic instructions for your small-town grocery store to include a curbside pickup and delivery model. Stores with smaller staff numbers may consider curbside pickup and delivery to both protect worker safety and address COVID-19 concerns while still maintaining the movement of groceries into communities for distribution.