Financial services firms are increasingly directing investor dollars into regenerative agriculture and other systemic food projects.
Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities is a policy forum to be held August 3, 2017, at the Federal Reserve Board's Wilson Conference Center in Washington, D.C. Forum participants will discuss the use of regional food strategies to advance community and economic development goals, including models for collaboration between policymakers, practitioners, and the financial community. Participants will also explore research, policy, and resource gaps that, if addressed, might contribute to the success of regional food systems strategies.
Schools have tremendous purchasing power and influence when it comes to local food. Here are some ways they are sourcing closer to home.
In addition to USDA programs that support efforts to develop and promote new markets for locally and regionally produced food and farm products, Haile discussed in his testimony the work they are doing to build a culture of food safety with the producers they work with. He stressed to the Committee that the next farm bill needs to invest more resources into outreach, training, technical assistance and capacity building as it pertains to food safety and producers.
Knowing where food comes from, how it is grown and by whom lends a greater respect to the planet and the people who grow, package, transport and serve it.
Tatiana Garcia Granados started The Common Market to bring farm food to her Philadelphia neighborhood. Now she's taking on the nation's broken food distribution system.
Compared with complicated national or international supply chains, food hubs offer only one middleman ... so more profit can go into farmers’ pockets. At the same time, by creating a socially conscious economy of scale, the retail price of local foods can drop, making them more affordable. While the idea seems simple on its face, the reality of starting a food hub is anything but. Successful food hubs require incredible organization, business acumen, patience, and capital.
The Common Market posed a challenge to Kensington Community Food Co-op owners: Raise $25,000 for your grocery store, and we’ll match every dollar. With two days to go, KCFC has raised over 90% of their goal! The Common Market is a proud sponsor of the $1.9 million project to open a 2,000-plus-square-foot community-staffed grocery store on Coral Street at Lehigh and Frankford Avenues in North Philadelphia.
Most school food service directors would love to fulfill their patrons’ desire for fresh, local food. But they also must adhere to high food safety standards which few small local farmers have the resources to meet.
This is not an issue for customers of The Common Market, which this month became the first and only local food hub in the country to earn SQF Level 2 certification by the globally recognized Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI).
Development Fellow Hannah Jo King discusses our report: The Needs of Black Farmers on the Delmarva peninsula.
Our friendly and educated team is here to partner with you every step of the way. Connect today to learn of all the ways to partner with The Common Market.
"The Common Market has a great selection of local and sustainable products that meet our school's needs and wonderful customer service as well. Quality of products is always high and getting orders delivered timely is consistent. We can feel good about our contribution to our local vendors as well."
— Germaine Appel, Executive chef and Nutritional Planner, Soulshine Preschool