Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Special Project

Northeast Iowa local food survey summary report

Project ID: RWG2007-01

Abstract

Institutional buyers in northeast Iowa were questioned about local food attributes and purchases.

Key Question: What are the current purchasing patterns (i.e., what products, how much of each product, etc.) for institutional buyers in Northeast Iowa, and if products are not being purchased by institutional buyers or not at the quantity desired, what are the barriers?

Findings: The answers to these questions will allow producers the access to an additional market for their local products. In particular, the addition of local hospitals, restaurants, and nursing homes increases the opportunity to market products that typically couldn't be sold direct to consumers (e.g., blemished or variable-sized products).

Lead investigator: Craig Chase, ISU Extension

Year of grant completion: 2009

This special project was part of the Leopold Center's Initiative.

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