FamilyFarmed.org

Tells Illinois Specialty Crop Growers Association that agriculture is still considered a high-growth sector for creating jobs and economic growth

Click here to download a copy of “Building Successful Food Hubs: A Business Planning Guide for Aggregating and Processing Local Food in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – On January 12, 2012 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley addressed the annual Illinois Specialty Growers Association conference in Springfield. At the conference, Dir. Ribley highlighted ways the state is working to increase markets for local foods.

“More people today want to know where their food comes from. Making food grown and produced in Illinois more accessible helps Illinois residents eat locally and helps boost our economy,” said Director Ribley. “The tools we’re introducing today are a step toward building an expanded, locally-produced food supply that benefits more people in Illinois.”

Food hubs are processing and distribution centers where independent, local farmers can market their products to larger entities like schools and government agencies, making locally-grown food more widely available.  The lack of a food hub network in Illinois has been a barrier to increasing markets for small farmers.

To help meet the demand, DCEO has partnered with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, FamilyFarmed.org and the University of Illinois’ Business Innovation Services to create the guidebook, “Building Successful Food Hubs: A Business Planning Guide for Aggregating and Processing Local Food in Illinois.”

The guide serves as a resource for communities, businesses, not-for-profits and others interested in establishing food hubs. The guide includes descriptions of key functions, best practices, and “how-to” strategies for establishing and operating food hubs that are based on successful food hubs operating in other regions, specifically adapted for application in Illinois’ food system.

“The demand for local supply in Illinois far exceeds supply, and food hubs are an excellent way to aggregate product and sell to wholesale buyers,” says Jim Slama, president of FamilyFarmed.org. “This guide is a resource for prospective food hub operators and we are pleased to make it available.”

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Tool Debuted by Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan

The On-Farm Food Safety Project was officially unveiled on December 15, 2011 at U.S. Department of Agriculture headquarters by Jim Slama, President of FamilyFarmed.org, high profile food and agriculture organizations, and Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. This broad partnership of stakeholders will help release the new online tool, available free to farmers, and demonstrate its ability to mitigate farm-based food safety risks.

The tool is voluntary and enables produce growers to create customized food safety plans, and thus, adopt and document best practices in food safety. It is the first of its kind and was developed by the nonprofit FamilyFarmed.org with lead funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency. A broad coalition of farm and produce industry partners helped create the program, which is available at www.onfarmfoodsafety.org.

In an era of growing concern about food safety, farmers of all sizes have sought ways to build effective and manageable food safety programs in an economical manner. This tool will help produce growers improve their food safety protocols by helping them assess risks specific to their farms and suggesting risk-specific mitigations.

“USDA believes that a strong farm safety net-including effective, market-based risk solutions for producers of all variety and size-is crucial to sustain the vitality of American agriculture,” said Merrigan. “Effectively managing risk is important to all producers, and having an acceptable food safety program is in the best interest of consumers, buyers, and the farmers themselves. USDA is proud to have worked with private, public and nonprofit partners to introduce this free tool to farmers seeking to gain certification as a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) producer.”

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The FamilyFarmed EXPO has become the Good Food Festival and Conference – Chicago.

After seven successful years as the Midwest’s Premier Good Food Event, the FamilyFarmed EXPO has gone national. We’re excited to announce that the FamilyFarmed EXPO is now the Good Food Festival and Conference. This change reflects FamilyFarmed.org’s national leadership in growing the Good Food Movement. Join us and experience the movement that is changing the way we eat.

The multi-day festival will focus on regional and national issues relevant to farmers and food businesses and will include a tradeshow, festival, and workshops for individuals and families interested in eating, preparing, and preserving local food.

For information on exhibiting and to apply, click here. Apply early and save, early bird discount available until December 12, 2011.