Browsing by Subject "Local Food"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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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: 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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    Food-Borne Illness and Farmers Markets Accepting Food Stamps
    (2016-05) Nguyen, Ngoc
    I study the relationship between farmers markets accepting food stamps (SNAP) and food-borne illness in the United States. Using a state-level panel data set that covers 50 states and the District of Columbia for 2004-2013, I find no relationship between SNAP-accepting farmers markets per capita and reported outbreaks of food-borne illness and cases of food-borne illness per capita. When including SNAP redemption value at farmers markets as a control variable, I find a negative and statistically significant relationship between farmers markets accepting food stamps per capita and reported C. perfringens outbreaks per capita for 2009-2013. When excluding SNAP redemption value at farmers markets from the control variables, I find positive and statistically significant relationships between farmers markets accepting food stamps per capita and reported staphylococcus aureus outbreaks, as well as reported Salmonella enterica outbreaks, per capita. The falsification and placebo tests indicate that these relationships are likely to be spurious.
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    Growing Minneapolis's Capacity for Local Food through Sustainable Urban Agriculture
    (Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 2013-05-16) Durand, Christine; Flunker, Dylan; Lindblom, Meghan
    The City of Minneapolis has a growing demand for urban farming capacity. Homegrown Minneapolis, a citywide initiative focused on developing a healthy local food system, is looking to evaluate current policies and community need in order to better prepare for changes in the future. Urban farming is one aspect of the larger urban agriculture and sustainable food systems that Homegrown Minneapolis oversees for the city. The collaboration between Homegrown Minneapolis and graduate students from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs comes at a critical time for the program. It is approximately one year after a large package of Minneapolis City Code was adopted to expand urban farming in the city, and the city is curious to see if and how changes have occurred.
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    Needs Assessment of Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Producers
    (2019-11-20) Klodd, Annie; Hoidal, Natalie
    This report summarizes the findings of a needs assessment with commercial fruit and vegetable growers in Minnesota completed over the winter of 2018-2019, as well as a follow-up retreat with individuals representing organizations working with fruit and vegetable research, outreach, and education in the Midwest. Based on the needs assessment and retreat, we have identified priority areas for fruit and vegetable research and education with Minnesota farmers.