Investigating the Feasibility of Establishing Food Processing and Distribution Centers for Western Iowa

A major barrier to development of regional food systems is the inability to meet institutional purchasing requirements through product aggregation. Information on supply and demand in the region is needed to best determine specific approaches to aggregation. Existing data on demand and supply and new telephone and mail surveys to better determine supply and demand for selected products, as well as interviewing producers and buyers, are being used to estimate potential supply and demand.

In Northwest Iowa, area producers will provide larger quantities, but not at the current wholesale market prices. In Southwest Iowa, current and potential supplies of fruits and vegetables are too low to justify large facilities. In both areas, meat production is strong, but the issue is inconsistent product quality due to differences in breeds and processing. This is where a facility could be beneficial. In both regions, it appears that decentralized approaches are more likely to facilitate aggregation. In Northwest Iowa, success will depend on finding buyers who will meet producer price requirements for scarce or differentiated items. Small producers' lack the strong ability to collectively and profitably produce items meeting wholesale demands. In Southwest Iowa, rather than focusing on a central distribution point, we are looking at decentralized aggregation points, perhaps even at the individual producer level (such as coolers), that will assist current producers to better increase production.

Contacts:
Patrick Garrity, Executive Director
FBLFM
1211 5th Street
Sioux City, IA 51101
fblfm@wi.net
712-224-3535

Holly Born
National Center for Appropriate Technology
53020 Hitchcock Avenue
Lewis, IA 51544
hollyb@ncat.org
712-769-2604