Marketing & Food Systems Initiative

Goals

• Research and test new marketing strategies and business structures that allow Iowa's farmers and communities to retain more of the value for energy, food or fiber produced
• Support education, conduct research and facilitate partnerships to increase investment and support of local and reginal food, fiber and energy enterprises
• Conduct research and education to address various challenges that impede farmers and farmer networks from being equal partners in energy, food or fiber-based value chain

Outcomes for Marketing and Food System Projects

• Establishment of  new or contribution to existing multi-organizational working groups based on farmer and community needs and challenges in food, fiber, or energy enterprises
• Increase market opportunities, enhance profitability, and reduce risk for farmers aggregating supply
• Increase knowledge and/or decision tool development related to: (1)  community, health, safety, economic, and environmental impacts of Iowa-grown foods produced using sustainable agriculture; and/or (2) energy efficiencies, greenhouse gas emissions, value-adding technologies, food safety, producer marketing networks, labor markets, and other economic, environmental and community factors
• Increase access to healthy, nutritious, affordable local food produced using sustainable agriculture practices. 
• Increase knowledge related to market access, profitability, and marketing and educational support for fiber and energy enterprises that use sustainable production practices.

Interim initiative coordinator: Craig Chase, (515) 294-3711, cchase@iastate.edu

To see what's been learned from our projects, see summaries of Completed Marketing and Food System Initiative Grants.