Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Southwest Iowa institutional foods survey and producer training program

Project ID: M2005-12

Abstract

The project determined the demand and value of locally grown foods for use in the institutional market, and attempted to quantify the supply available in southwest Iowa.

Key Question: What is the level of interest in local foods by institutional food preparers in southwest Iowa, and are there enough local producers to meet the institutional demand?

Findings: Yes, there is "enough" interest to have a major impact in the target market as well as some overflow to surrounding county institutions. There appears to be enough produce/product to meet the demand of institutions for some items, but additional recruitment of growers and development of additional produce resources is needed.

Lead investigator: Alan Ladd, ISU Extension, et al

Year of grant completion: 2009

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Marketing Initiative.

Topics: Community-based food systems, Farm to institution, Market research and feasibility studies