FOOD HUBS: A Snapshot of the IOWA EXPERIENCE

Jan Libbey, Healthy Harvest of North Iowa & Dr. Mark Edelman, ISU Community Vitality Center

Food Hub Types1. Location Auctions & Farmers Markets2. Internet Markets & Central Delivery Sites3. Non-profit Market Distribution Models4. Profit-driven Wholesale & Retail Networks5. Producer-driven Coops/LLCs6. Retail Local Food Grocery Coops7. Shared-Kitchen Facility Networks8. Year-Round City Markets & Food Incubators

Hub Types

•Cedar Valley Produce Auction•Local Farmers Markets

• Location sponsored markets

20 Farmers Markets across North Iowa

Nationwide, Iowa ranks top in number of farmers markets per capita

2005 study – Iowa farmers markets generate an estimated $20.8 million in sales and more than 325 jobs for the Iowa economy.

Hub TypesInternet Based Markets

Market Maker (ISUE AgMRC)

With Central Delivery Sites

Iowa Food CoopIowa Valley Food Coop

Connecting willing markets and quality sources of food from farm and fisheries to fork in Iowa.

The essential business of the IFC is to provide a web-based marketplace of Iowa-grown food for willing buyers and sellers.

At no time does the cooperative take title to any of the products.

We have no inventory.

The products that go through our distribution system are owned by our producer members, who then sell these products directly to our consumer members

4 Delivery sitesDM

WDMAnkenyAmes

IVFC acts as a facilitator, providing a marketplace for all types of local producers, processing orders and payments, and facilitating delivery to consumer members.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Hub Types

•Red Tomato•Northern Iowa Food & Farm Partnership

• Non-profit driven model

Map of Iowa’s Regional Food System Working Groups

•printed and an online Buy Fresh, Buy Local directory •marketing resource to local growers, food businesses,

and institutions•Promoting farmers markets•organizing farm tours•sponsoring regional food festivals and related events.

Cedar Falls

Hub Types

Local Food Grocery Networks (HyVee, Fareway, Dahls)

Local Food Restaurant Networks(Hawkeye Food Service/Local Harvest Supply)

• Profit-driven, Wholesale/Retail

Hawkeye Foodservice Distribution, Inc.

3rd generation, family- owned,

wholesale distribution business with

over $200 million in annualized sales.

large Midwest region facilitated

four warehouses

•use of the facilities at Hawkeye’s auxiliary warehouse 14,000 square feet.

•Local Harvest Supply deliveries would be made with Hawkeye Foodservice trucks on routes already established

•For the grower, we offer pick up service in a refrigerated truck, marketing tools, affordable packaging an opportunity to extend market reach.

Coralville

Hub Types

GROWN Locally

Scenic Valley Producers

• Producer-driven Coops/LLCs/Networks

30 producersA cooperative of small, local farms in Northeast Iowa dedicated to providing fresh, high quality foods to local food service institutions.

Decorah

Hub Types

Wheatsfield Grocery Coop (Ames)New Pioneer Food Coop (Iowa City) Fresh Connections Coop, AlgonaTallgrass Grocery Coop (W. Des Moines)Dubuque Food CoopStratford Food Center (Coop)Oneota Food Coop, DecorahGrinnell Local Foods Coop

• Retail Grocery Store Coops

DubuqueOpening Fall 2012!100% member-owned full service grocery store

local, organic, and natural

Located in Historic Millwork District … resurrecting the forgotten strategy that connects people, planet, and profit in a mixed-use neighborhood.

cooperatively-owned grocery store specializing in organic, local, and sustainably produced products since 1974.

Our Focus: Good Food, Sustainable FoodThe vast majority of the food we sell is either locally grown,

organic, or fair trade.

Decorah

Grinnell Local Foods Coop•monthly orders

•produce, grains, honey, herbs, certified Organic products and more!

•pick up behind Main Hall on the southeast corner of campus.

Hub Types

Cedar Rapids Area (IFPC)

Ames Area (IFPC)

Fairfield: Food Innovation Center Concept

• Shared-Kitchen Incubator Networks

Hub Types

NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids

Ottumwa City Market

Quad Cities Market Hub

• Year-Round City Markets & Incubators

The mission of the NewBo City Market includes:

Jobs: Create new entrepreneurial job opportunities for displaced workers and others through the leasing of low-cost stalls Economic Development: Stimulate small business development and economic activity in a flood impacted area Health: Provide an easily accessible venue to obtain and learn about healthy foodQuality of Life: Provide a central meeting place for residents of Cedar Rapids and visitors to meet, greet, and of course, eat

Cedar Rapids

The NewBo City Market will help transform and secure the vitality of New Bohemia neighborhood, ravaged from the flood of 2008.

Key take away points:

Diverse strategies - 8 Types with over 2 dozen entities plus farmers markets

Different structures for project specific needs & goals

Coops that grew out of buying club in the 70’s Coop committed to serving 40 mile radius Use of electronic medium to bridge much large distances Repossessing buildings and positioning food systems prominently as

strategy of community revitalization

It’s not ONE answer, but the collective lessons offered

across the various models.