Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Researching and evaluating an effective web-based local food sales template

Project ID: M2007-31

Abstract

Local producers and institutions developed and tested a web-based template designed to simplify internet retail sales of local foods.

Key Question: How can Iowa farmers use the Internet to expand the local food system while maintaining identity and individuality?

Findings: Discussions with local food producers and institutions from across Iowa helped the project partners develop a plan for a web-based template/computer program that would provide the basic tools for web-based sales, while considering the needs and wants of the potential buyers.

Lead investigator: Marilyn Rubner, Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development, et al

Year of grant completion: 2009

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

Topics: Business management, distribution and marketing, Community-based food systems