Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin

1. Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Planting Seeds for Our Future Conference March 26, 2007

2. Background • Grassroots & industry working group of over 70 individuals • December, 2005 convened a gathering to: • Explore creating a broad-based program to encourage consumers/businesses to buy WI; • Better promote WI foods; • Create and instill loyalty among WI consumers.

3. Buy Local Momentum • Fast growing, economically, socially & culturally important opportunity. • Positively impacts farmers, communities, consumer nutrition, environment and WI’s economy. • Secure position as top producer of diverse, high quality food products. • Large interest & dedication from producers & grassroots organizations throughout WI.

4. Changing Consumer Behavior “Consumers want to buy into products and brands that foster and support the lifestyle-oriented communities they value. Buying local gives them the direct link to extend and expand into their own community, empowering them and giving them the sense of belonging.” *Source: * Hartman Group. Hartman-group.com. “Is ‘buying local’ the real deal?”

5. Increased Food Buyer Interest • Chefs drive trends • NRA survey of chefs seek locally grown produce* • WI Grocers Association interest • Universities/Schools • Hospitals Restaurant.org NRA survey of chefs reveals top food trends heating up restaurant. January 12, 2007.

6. Local Food Hurdles • Limited small or batch processing facilities. • Limited USDA meat processing facilities. • Barriers to institutional and state buying systems. • Need for consolidated information on marketing, processing, distribution and business start up information. • Need for producer marketing training/assistance. • Challenges connecting food buyers with producers to source local food. • Limited centralized information that connects Wisconsin travelers with agriculturally related travel destinations.

7. Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Create a comprehensive and systematic approach to support the increased availability and demand for locally grown foods.

8. Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin • Food & Culture Tourism Trails • Regional Food System Development

9. Food & Culture Trails • Grass roots creation of eight trails • Bridge food & culture to create new tourism experience • Holistic/authentic experience – connection to land, producers, product • New revenue stream for producers • State frame for development, branding, quality control -- Tool box -- Grants over three years -- Technical support -- Tie-in with Dept of Tourism program

10. Regional Food System Development • Support grassroots initiatives that reduce marketing, processing and/or distribution hurdles. • Link food assets to strengthen local food economies • Technical Assistance to help producers & organizations collectively work to overcome local food hurdles. • State policy development & implementation • Competitive grants • Farmers, local businesses, nonprofits and others • Projects that expand regional food markets and promote Wisconsin’s agriculture.

11. Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Goals • Shift 10% of food spending to locally produced products • Retain and re-circulate dollars in Wisconsin’s regional food economies • Expand food markets and increase profits for producers. • Invest in farming and rural communities to address barriers to regional food markets and meet consumer demands for fresh, Wisconsin produced food.

12. Bill Status • Sen. Lassa Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Bill announced Jan 4, 2007 at Local Food Summit. • Co-sponsors – 31, bi-partisan supporters • Critical Date: March, 28th – Senate Economic Development Committee Hearing • Next Steps