Researching and Evaluating an Effective Web-based Local Food Sales Template

Many small-scale producers find that setting up an eCommerce site is too complicated, too costly, or too impersonal, creating a barrier to expanded sales and business development. These barriers have especially inhibited local food sales to institutions that have become accustom to conducting the majority of their food service menu management and purchases over the Internet. Through this project, several partners are working together to brainstorm, develop and test a software product that will reduce the complexity and cost of creating a personalized, independently run web-site. The project will then facilitate use of the software product across Iowa to help local food producers throughout the state develop an online presence as part of Iowa’s newly emerging local food system.

Contacts:
Lora L. Friest, USDA/NRCS RC&D Coordinator
Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development Inc.
PO Box 916
Postville, IA 52162
lora.friest@ia.usda.gov
563-864-7112

David Reisner
Agrestic Software
7418 Beechwood Drive
Urbandale, IA 50322
dreisner@AgresticSoftware.com
515-238-0811