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WoodRiverRanch PhotobyKenMeter,2018
CommunityFoodSystemStrategicPlan
KenMeterCrossroadsResourceCenter
fortheSunValleyInstituteLocalFoodAlliance
CoveringtheWoodRiverValleyRegion:
IncludingBlaineCounty,CamasCounty,&MagicValleyStakeholders
April15,2019(RevisionsmadetoFebruary12versionatrequestofTheHungerCoalition;seepp.18,30,33)
CrossroadsResourceCenter
7415HumboldtAveS/Minneapolis,Minnesota55423/[email protected] www.crcworks.org
ToolsforCommunitySelf-determination
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ExecutiveSummaryInordertoimprovetheefficacyofongoingcommunityfoodsinitiativesintheWoodRiverValleyRegion,theSunValleyInstituteforResiliencecommissionedthisStrategicPlanin2018.TodeveloptheStrategicPlan,CrossroadsResourceCentercompiledeconomicresearchcoveringBlaineCountyandtheWoodRiverValleyregion,andinterviewed61foodsystemleadersidentifiedbytheLocalFoodAllianceandtheBlaineCountyFoodCouncil.Itthenanalyzedthesefindingstodevelopashortlistofactionpriorities,whicharedescribedbelow.PreliminarydatawerepresentedtopublicmeetingsataBlaineCountyFoodCouncilworkshopinMay,2018,andattheSunValleyInstitute’sSunValleyForuminAugust,2018.Thesemeetingsalsohelpedtoidentifykeyissuestobeaddressed,andkeyleaderstobeinterviewed.StakeholderinterviewswereheldinNovemberandDecemberof2018.Mostwereheldin-person,withafewbytelephoneasneeded.Intervieweeswereaskedtodescribetheirworkwithinthecommunityfoodsystem,andalsotoidentifythekeystrengthsandlimitationstheyexperiencedincommunityfoodswork.Further,eachwasaskedtooffertheirinsightsintotheobstaclespreventingcommunityfoodsworkfromflourishing,aswellaskeyopportunitiestheysawforadvancingthiswork.PurposeofthisStrategicPlanTostrengthencommunity-basedfoodsystemsintheWoodRiverValleyRegion(IncludingBlaineCounty,CamasCounty,theMagicValley,andnearbyareas).DefinitionACommunity-BasedFoodSystemcreatessystemsofexchangethatstrivetobringfoodproducersandfoodconsumersintoaffinitywitheachother1forthepurposeofbuildinghealth,wealth,connection,andcapacityintheregion.GeographyCoveredCurrently,nocleargeographicalidentityexistsfortheregioncoveredbythisreport.Forlackofabetterterm,wecallthistheWoodRiverValleyRegion.WedefinethistoincludealloftheWoodRiverValley,therestofBlaineCounty,CamasCounty,andpartsoftheMagicValley.WhilethisareaencompassesmostofthefarmlandthatisclosesttoWoodRiverValleyconsumers,andisofcriticalimportancetosupplyingthemwithfood,thisinitiativealsoseekstofosterproductionoffoodonWRVRfarmsforallconsumersintheregion,aswellasthegrowthofsocialandcommercialnetworksthatwillbuildfinancialtrade,mutualrespect,andtrustamongallmembersoftheregion.Forsakeofsimplicity,however,sincenocountyboundariespreciselyidentifythisregion,muchoftheeconomicandhealthdatacompiledcoverBlaineCountyalone.1Meter,Ken(2007).“EvaluatingFarmandFoodSystemsintheUS.”SystemsConceptsinEvaluation:AnExpertAnthology.AmericanEvaluationAssociationMonographpublishedbyEdgePressofInverness.
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Overtime,asthisStrategicPlanisimplementedandregionalbrandingeffortstakeroot,theRegionmaytakeonitsownuniqueidentity,perhapsembracinganamethatreflectsthebroaderlandscape—perhapsusinganamesuchasthe“Tri-ValleyRegion.”Keygoalsoftheplan:
1. EnsurethatallresidentsoftheWoodRiverValleyRegion(WRVR)haveaccesstohealthyfoodsproducedonBlaineCounty(BC),CamasCounty(CC),andMagicValley(MV)farms.
2. Ensurethatfarmersarewellcompensatedfortheirwork,andthatfoodisaffordabletoallconsumersintheregion.
3. EngageWoodRiverValley,BlaineCounty,CamasCounty,andMagicValleystakeholdersinincreasinglystrongercollaborationsthatbuildeffectivesocialandcommercialnetworks.Inparticular,farmersandconsumersshouldbuildmutualtrustandstrongerconnectionswitheachother.
4. Buildthecapacitiesofresidentsandbusinessesintheregiontogrowfood,eatinhealthyways,andeffectivelymanagesocialandcommercialnetworksasconditionschange.
5. Createasolidtrackrecordofaccomplishments.6. Buildinfrastructurethatcreatesnewefficienciesincommunityfoodtradeandfosters
long-termpartnerships.KeyAssets:
• TheWoodRiverValleyRegionholdsastrongheritageoffarming• TheRegion’sresidents“havethemindsettoeathealthier,locallyraisedfood”• Ketchum/SunValleyhasanexceptionalcoreofdonorswhohaveinvestedinthe
broadercommunityKeyWeaknesses:
• Prevailingfoodinfrastructurestronglyfavorsfoodimportsandexportsovercommunityfoodtrade
• Goodpeoplewithsolidvisionareworkingseparatelyratherthancollaboratively• Althoughresidentsknoweachotherandarefriendlytoeachother,genuine
collaborationislimited.Moreneedstobeaccomplished• Muchofthecommunityfoodsactivityhasengagedonlyhigher-incomeresidents
KeyObstacles:
• Inequality• Lackofcollaborationorcommunication:“Everyoneisalwaysdoingtheirownthing”
KeyOpportunities:• WoodRiverValleyRegionhasenoughland,wealth,andconsumerpurchasingtobuilda
strongcommunityfoodsystem• PrioritizeprojectsthatwillstrengthentrustandcollaborationamongValley
stakeholders• EngageallresidentsofWoodRiverValleyRegionincommunityfoodsefforts
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• WorkcollaborativelytoleverageTheHungerCoalition’sexpansion• Buildadistributionnetworkappropriatetotheleveloffarmproduction• Buildcoldstorageonwholesalingfarms(couldbebuiltbylocalfarmers)• BuildwarehousespaceandcoldstorageinHailey/Bellevue
KeyElementsofthisWorkPlan(Eachisexplainedingreaterdetailinthedraft)
1.Unifycommunityfoodscoordination2.BrandtheWoodRiverValleyRegionwithaninclusivevision3.FormalizetheWRVRWholesaleProducePartnership(WPP)4.SolidifythestatusoftheWoodRiverFarmers’Markets
Kraay’sMarket&Garden(Bellevue) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
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TableofContents
EXECUTIVESUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
LISTOFTHOSEINTERVIEWED...................................................................................................6
COMMUNITYFOODTRADEPERSISTS.......................................................................................8JUDY,FRED,ANDCOOPERBROSSYINVESTFORTHELONGHAUL...............................................................8ATKINSONS’MARKETINVESTSINCOMMUNITYCONNECTIONS...............................................................10COMMUNITYSCHOOLINGSPAWNSNEWFARMING...............................................................................12LONG-TERMFARMFAMILYLAUNCHESANEWGRAINBUSINESS...............................................................13COFFEEGROWSFROMACULTURALTAPROOT.....................................................................................15SETTLINGBACKHOMETOGROWFOODOVERTHELONGWINTERS...........................................................15KRAAY’SMARKET&GARDENDELIVERSDIRECTTOHOUSEHOLDS...........................................................17THEHUNGERCOALITIONPROVIDESFOODRELIEF;RAISESAWARENESS....................................................18
CONCLUSIONSFROMOURRESEARCH....................................................................................18ECONOMICTRENDSAREWORRISOME................................................................................................19KEYCONCERNSRAISEDININTERVIEWS..............................................................................................21KEYSTRENGTHS,WEAKNESSES,OBSTACLES,ANDOPPORTUNITIESIDENTIFIEDINOURINTERVIEWS..............23THECHOICETHEWOODRIVERVALLEYREGIONFACES..........................................................................24KEYOPPORTUNITIES.......................................................................................................................27
KEYELEMENTSOFTHISWORKPLAN......................................................................................271.UNIFYCOMMUNITYFOODSCOORDINATION....................................................................................272.BRANDTHEWOODRIVERVALLEYREGION(WRVR)WITHANINCLUSIVEVISION...................................323.WRVRWHOLESALEPRODUCEPARTNERSHIP(WPP).......................................................................374.SOLIDIFYTHESTATUSOFWOODRIVERFARMERS’MARKETS.............................................................43ADDITIONALINITIATIVESCURRENTLYUNDERWAY:................................................................................46
APPENDIXA:QUALITIESOFTHEEXISTINGCOMMUNITY-BASEDFOODSYSTEM.....................54STRENGTHS&ASSETSOFTHEREGION’SCOMMUNITYFOODSYSTEM:....................................................54WEAKNESSESOFTHECOMMUNITYFOODSYSTEM:..............................................................................57OBSTACLESTOSTRENGTHENINGTHECOMMUNITYFOODSYSTEM:.........................................................60OPPORTUNITIESFORSTRENGTHENINGTHECOMMUNITYFOODSYSTEM:.................................................61
APPENDIXB:ECONOMICDATA..............................................................................................66BLAINECOUNTYFOODCONSUMPTION..............................................................................................76ANNUALFOODCONSUMPTIONBYPRODUCT.......................................................................................76CLIMATEISNOTTHELIMITINGFACTOR...............................................................................................80
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ListofThoseInterviewedWearedeeplyindebtedtothefollowing61peoplewhodonatedtheirtime,expertise,andinsightstohelpusunderstandconditionsintheWoodRiverValley,MagicValley,andBlaineandCamasCounties.Eachtoldusabouttheircontributionstothecommunityfoodsystem,assessedthestrengths,weaknesses,opportunities,andobstaclestheyencountered,andsuggestednextstepstotake.Ourthankstoall.FirstName LastName Position Organization LocationPeter Atkinson Owner Atkinsons’Market KetchumWhit Atkinson Owner Atkinsons’Market KetchumBrian Bean Owner LavaLakeLamb HaileyTammara Beck CFO 1,000SpringsMill BuhlSara Berman Owner SquashBlossomFarm BellevueScott Boettger ExecutiveDirector WoodRiverLandTrust HaileyCooper Brossy Owner Ernie’sOrganics ShoshoneFred Brossy Owner Ernie’sOrganics ShoshoneAlex Buck Co-owner TheWarfield KetchumMark Caraluzzi Owner IntrepidCuisine KetchumAimée Christensen ExecutiveDirector SunValleyInstitute KetchumPhil Christensen Owner OldAlmoCreamery AlmoTim Cornie Owner 1,000SpringsMill BuhlMark Davidson Director,
ConservationInitiatives
TheNatureConservancy Hailey
Sara Dorland ManagingPartner Ceres SunValleyRich Feucht Owner PrairieWindsHeritage
FarmFairfield
Bryan Fletcher BusinessManager BlaineCountySchoolDistrict
Hailey
Jamon Frostenson Owner Loganics FairfieldMark George Founder 1%forBlaine KetchumChristina Giordani Owner DirtRoadProductions KetchumLauren Golden ExtensionEducator IdahoExtension HaileyHarry Griffith ExecutiveDirector SunValleyEconomic
DevelopmentKetchum
Josh Hale Co-Owner ElkhornRanchSouth MackayMike Heath Owner M&MHeathFarm BuhlBryan Hostetler Volunteer Kraay’sMarket&Garden BellevueBob Howard Coordinator DesertMountainGrass
FedBeefHammett
Julie Johnson Owner NourishMe KetchumJeff Jones ProduceBuyer Atkinsons’Market KetchumNate Jones Owner King’sCrownOrganics KingHillChris Kastner Owner CK’sRealFood HaileyJohn Klimes Owner AgrarianHarvest BuhlLarry Kraay Owner Kraay’sMarket&Garden BellevueSherry Kraay Owner Kraay’sMarket&Garden BellevueMatt Luck Owner PrideofBristolBay Ketchum
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Spence Mallett Owner NeighborhoodNourishment
TwinFalls
Wayne Marshall Owner PureWatersOrganicFarm BuhlAmy Mattias Co-Director LocalFoodAlliance HaileyAl McCord Owner WoodRiverSustainability
CenterHailey
Brooke McKenna DirectorofOperations
TheHungerCoalition Bellevue
Lindsay Mollineaux MarketManager Kraay’sMarket&Garden BellevueAspen Moon Owner BusinessConsultant BuhlMatt Moran Owner MorningstarArisingFarm BellevueBill Pereira Owner BigChiefOrganics BellevueGino Petosa AssistantGeneral
ManagerCharlie’sProduce Boise
Pat Purdy Owner PicaboLivestockCompany PicaboCallie Raspberry Owner Raspberry’sRestaurant KetchumJames Reed Owner OnsenFarm BuhlTerry Reynolds ProduceBuyer Atkinsons’Market HaileyMatt Robinson Manager KonditoreiBakery&Café SunValleyAlex Sanchez Owner OasisMarketFarm BuhlLarry Schoen Commissioner BlaineCounty HaileyBruce Seguin ProduceBuyer Atkinsons’Market BellevueDuane Sorensen FoodService
DirectorBlaineCountySchoolDistrict
Hailey
Brett Stevenson Owner HillsideRanchFlour&Grain
Bellevue
Sean Temple HeadChef TheWarfield&TheElevatedTable
Ketchum
Winn Weaver Owner Winn’sCompost HaileyHarry Weekes ExecutiveDirector TheSageSchooland
QuigleyFarmHailey
Stacy Whitman Co-Director LocalFoodAlliance HaileyMatt Williams Owner WaterwheelGardens EmmettEd Zinader Owner SquashBlossomFarm BellevueKatie Zubia Owner,&
BoardPresidentWoodRiverRanchBeef,&WoodRiverFarmers’Market
Bellevue
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CommunityFoodTradepersistsFordecades,residentsoftheWoodRiverValleyRegionhavebeenforgingacommunity-basedfoodsystemagainstgreatodds.Althoughalloftheincentivesofferedbytheprevailingfoodsystemfavorimportingoffood,andwhiletheMagicValleyhasemergedasoneoftheprimaryfood-exportingregionsoftheU.S.,doggedresidentshavebuiltfoodtradethatcreatedstrongercommunitycohesion.
CooperBrossy,Ernie’sOrganics(Shoshone) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
Judy,Fred,andCooperBrossyinvestforthelonghaulOneofmanyearlypioneerswasJudyBrossy,whobegangrowingorganicproduceformarket25yearsago,longbeforeitbecamepopular.Shepainstakinglygrewvegetableswithoutusingsyntheticchemicals,whileherhusbandFredfollowedorganicpracticesinraisingrowcrops.Theircustomersvaluedthesuperiorqualityofwhattheyharvested.TheBrossysalsoconstructedhightunnelsthatallowedthemtoextendtheirgrowingseasoninachallengingclimate.TheybeganbyhaulingtheirproducetotheWoodRiverValleythemselves,sellingdirectlytorestaurantsandattheearlyformoftheHaileyFarmersmarket.YetJudyalsorealizedthatifmorepeopleweretohaveaccesstothesehealthyfoods,Ketchumneededaplacewherefarmersandtheircustomerscouldmeet.Sosheandothergrowersorganizedafarmers’marketinKetchumwiththecollaborationoftheAtkinsonbrotherswhoprovidedthespaceandadvertising.ShealsowasafoundingmemberoftheSouthIdahoLandTrust,knowingthatfarmland,conservationland,andopenspacemustbeprotectedifpeopleweregoingtobeabletoenjoyahighqualityoflifeinthefuture.UltimatelythatknowledgeresultedintheBrossysplacingthefarmintoapermanentconservationeasementusingthe
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NRCSFederalFarmandRanchlandProtectionProgram.Thisprogramensuresthelandwillbefarmlandforever.Judyisnolongerfarming.WhenIinterviewedFredBrossyinNovember,Iaskedhimwhatgotthefamilystartedraisingorganicfoods.Hechuckledandleanedbackinhischair.“Foryears,Iknewwehadtodoit.”Heunderstooditwasimportantbothforthehealthofthesoilandforthefamily’spersonalhealth.“ButIdidn’thavethecourage.”Eventhoughhisemployeratthetimewouldhavepaidhimtoconverttoorganicproduction,Fredfeltthetugofremainingtruetothefarmingprocedureshegrewupwith.Therewasnodramaticmomentwhenherealizedhewasgoingtochange,hesaid.“Atonepoint,Ijustknewitwastime.”FredcountsMikeHeathandNateJonesasimportantmentorsinhelpinghimgetorganicproductionestablished.“Theswitchtoorganiccropswouldnothavebeennearlyassmoothwithoutthehelpofsomereallygoodfriendsandmentorswhohelpedmegetstarted….Twenty-oddyearsin,wecontinuetohelpeachotherregularly.”Today,FredandhissonCooperraisepotatoes,softwhitewheat,alfalfa,ediblebeans,andnumerousvarietiesofbeanandothervegetableseedforgardenersattheir300-acrefarmnearShoshone.ThefarmisnamedErnie’sOrganicsaftertheland’spreviousowner.WhenJudyretired,theproducebusinesstookabackseat.TheirfavoredasparagusfieldsneartheLittleWoodRivernowstandidle,inlargepartbecausethecroprequiresconsiderablelabor.YetFredandCooperstillraiseotherseedcropsusingmechanicalplantersandharvestequipment.WhenPotatoGrowermagazinefeaturedtheirfarminacoverstoryinNovember,2018,themagazinenotedthatthe20-35acresoflandthefamilydevotestopotatoescanaccountforasmuchasone-quarterofthefarm’sincome.TheBrossysarequicktopointoutthatthesuccessoftheirfarmisdueinlargeparttothesupportoftheirneighbors—eventhosewhovolunteertodrivetrucksduringharvestseason.“ProbablythebiggestreasonIfarmisthechancetoworkalongsidefamilyandfriends,”CoopertoldPotatoGrower.Fredaddedthatsustainingthefarmhasinvolveddeepchallenges.“Forpeopleoursize,itiseasierjusttosendourproductsawayonasemi-truck.ButdoingthatjustcontributestothecolonialeconomythatIdahoisbasedon.Wehavetogettowherewedon’timportsomuchfood.”Yethealsorecognizedthatthisposesdilemmas.“Wearealreadystretchedwithwhatwedo.Toshifttosmallerscalevegetableproductionsowecanmeetlocalneedsisalogisticalchallengeforus.Itishardtobalancethetwooperations.MarketgardeningisthetoughestbusinessIknow.Itishardtohirehelp.Howdowepaythem?”Yet,asFredtoldPotatoGrower,theextraefforthaspaidoff.Thefamilyrecentlydecidedtomodifythefarm’smissionstatementsothatitprioritizesqualityoflife.“Organicfarmingisabiologicalsystem,muchmorethanjustinputsubstitution.Wecan’tbuymorefarmlandaroundus;we’rekindofhemmedinbylavafieldshere.Sowe’vegottomakethelandwefarmbetter.Itfeelsprettygoodtoknowthatthankstotheconservationeasement,thisplacewillremainafarmforever.”
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Fredadded,however,thathecanenvisionthefarmmakinganevenstrongerimpactonthecommunity.“Itwouldbeniceifthelocalfooddistributionwasn’tjustfortheelite.”2
Atkinsons’MarketinBellevue PhotobyKenMeter,2018
Atkinsons’MarketinvestsincommunityconnectionsFredBrossynotedthatassoonastheKetchumfarmers’marketbeganoperation,ithadanimpactonneighboringbusinesses.OneofthosefirmswasAtkinsons’Market,locatedacrossthestreetfromtheFarmers’Market.“Peoplewouldbuy2-3itemsfromus,andthenwalkovertoAtkinsons’tocontinuetheirshopping.”Asanindependentgroceryownedbyalocalfamily,theAtkinsonswerequicktodiscoverthattheybenefittedfromthissynergy.“Yes,ourproducesalesdippedabit”whenthefarmers’marketopened,WhitAtkinsonsaid,“butwemadeitupinothersalesbecauseourtrafficincreased.”So,whentheKetchumfarmers’marketmovedfromitsinitiallocationonFourthStreettoTownSquare,theAtkinsonsgaveupsomeoftheirparkingaccess.Thatspothadactuallybeencriticaltothegrocer’shistory.Inthesummerof1983,afterafiredamagedthestore,thefamilyoperatedaproducetentonthesamelotthatoperateduntiltheycouldreopenthestoreinDecember.
2ThissectiondrawsuponMarchant,Tyrell(2018).“LittlePieceofHeaven:Ernie’sOrganicsinShoshone,Idaho.”PotatoGrower.GroweroftheMonth.Nov6.ViewedDecember24,2018athttps://www.potatogrower.com/
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InitscurrentlocationAtkinsons’MarkethasdedicatedshelfspacefeaturingproducefromIdahofarmsandlocallyraisedmeats.WhitAtkinsontoldmeinNovemberthat“Ialwaystriedtobuylocally.Wewillcommittoyou[thegrower]ifyoucommittous.”PeterAtkinsonadded,“Whenweputlocalstuffontheshelves,itsells.”ThegrocerypurchasespotatoesfromafarmintheMagicValley,applesandstonefruitsfromafarmwestofBoise,andfeaturesIdahocantaloupe,watermelon,sweetcorn,squash,tomatoeswhentheycangetthem.Atkinsons’alsoregularlypurchasesgreensfromSquashBlossomfarm(seebelow),describingthefarm’sco-ownersSaraBermanandEdZinaderasfamilyfriends.Whitadded,“OurpurchasesfromSaradoubledin2018.”Atkinsons’alsoregularlydonatessurplusproducetoTheHungerCoalition.Still,boththegroceryfamilyandtheregion’sfarmersagreethatmorecouldbedone.TheAtkinsonswishthatfarmerscoulddelivertotheirthreestoresinBellevue,Hailey,andKetchummoreoften,whilefarmerswouldlovetohavethegrocerordermoreproducts.Thebarriersarecomplex,involvingthescaleofproduction,foodsafetyand/ororganiccertification,liabilityinsurance,warehousingspace,anddistribution.TheAtkinsonspointedoutthatithasbeentheirconnectiontocommunitythatallowedthemtosustaintheirbusinesssince1956,whenChuckAtkinsonopenedtheKetchumstoreinaformergamblingcasino.Itwasastepthefamilycouldnottakeonitsown,soChucksoughtotherinvestors.PrimaryinvestorswereGeorgeandPeggyKneeland,theSunValleyGuidereportedin2007,aswellastheKilpatrickbrotherswhohadhiredChucktoruntheircombinationgrocerystoreandgasstationinPicabosince1942.Chuck’sgrandsonChiptoldtheGuidethatthestore’sopeningwasmetwithconsiderableskepticism.“Everybodysaid,‘Oh,theywon’tlastayear,’”herecalled.YetAtkinson’shasnowgrowntothreelocationsincludingstoresinHaileyandBellevue,andhasweatheredintensecompetitionwell.WhitAtkinsontoldtheGuidethatonekeyelementofthestore’ssurvivalisthatthefamilyhasalwaysowneditsstorelocations.Hetoldthemagazinethatbuyingone’spropertyis“critical.”“Youhavetocontrolyourdestiny.Thevalueofrealestate(here)isnotbasedonreality.”Yetevenmorestaunchly,thefamilyprotectsitsrelationshipswithitscustomers.ChiptoldtheGuide,“Whenit’sbusy,Idon’tcarewhatyourpositionis,you’rehereforthepeople.” Chipadded,“It’srealimportanttobeverygenerousinwhatwegivebacktothecommunity.”HetoldtheSunValleyGuidethatthefamilydonatesroughly$200,000ofcasheveryyear,andtensofthousandsmoreindonatedfoods.TheGuidereportedthat“Localcharities,includingtheSunValleySummerSymphony,theSunValleyCenterfortheArts’WineAuctionandnumerouschildren’sprogramshavebenefitedfromtheAtkinsons’support.”WhitAtkinsontoldGuidereporterRebeccaMeany,“That’sthedutyofanindependent,family-ownedbusiness.“Ifthere’sanystrengthtoanindependentbusiness,it’sthatthey’reconnectedtotheircommunity.”Chipaddedthat70percentofthefirm’scustomersremainveryloyal. AmongtheAtkinsonfamilycontributionswashelpingtolaunchtheCommunitySchoolincollaborationwithmanyotherfamiliesintheValley.WhitandSusie’sson,Peter,attendedthisschool;henowservesasafourth-generationmanagerofthegroceryfirm.Aspartofthe
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interviewprocessforthisstrategicplan,Peterconvenedthethreeproducebuyersforthefirm’sthreestorestodiscusswhatwasneededtostrengthenthecommunityfoodsystemintheWoodRiverValley.3
SaraBermanandEdZinader,SquashBlossomFarm(Bellevue) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
CommunityschoolingspawnsnewfarmingAnothergraduateoftheCommunitySchoolisHarryWeekes.Weekesnotesthathevaluedhiseducationthere,butultimatelydecidedhewantedtocreateanevenmoreexpansiveeducationalopportunity.HeisnowexecutivedirectorofTheSageSchoollocatedneartheHaileyairport.AmongthegraduatesofCommunitySchoolisSaraBerman,whofoundacallingasafarmerduringhertimethere.ShemanagedtheSageSchool’sgreenhouseoperationforeightyears,andthendecidedtolaunchherownone-acrefarm,SquashBlossomFarm,withherpartnerEdZinader.AWoodRiverValleynativewhoiswellconnectedtoTheSageSchool,Sarawasabletorapidlyconnectwithmorethan50ValleyhouseholdsthatpurchaseCSAsharesfromSquashBlossomFarm.ThecouplealsosellstheirproduceattheKetchumfarmers’market,andsuppliesseveralrestaurantsaswellasKraay’sMarket&Garden.OneofherprimarycustomersisAtkinsons’Market—bringingalong-termreturntotheAtkinsonfamily’sinvestmentinschooling.“Theyhavebeensoflexiblewithus.Theybuyourproductwheneverwehaveit,”Saraadded.
3ThissectiondrawsuponMeany,Rebecca(2007).“FiftyYearsofFamily.”SunValleyGuide.Winter.ViewedDecember24,2018atwww.svguide.com/w07/w07_50yearsoffamily.htm
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Carryingthisinvestmentforward,HarryWeekesisnowpartofateamofdevelopersplanningtobuildhousing,commercial,andofficespaceaspartoftheQuigleyFarmproject.Notsurprisingly,Weekesplanstodevelopafarmaspartoftheinitiative.Thiswillbeaworkingfarmthatwillsellproductslocally,butalsoengagestudentsinlearningaboutfoodandfarming,andhopefullyalsosupplyfoodtotheschool’sfoodservice.
HarryWeekesatTheSageSchool(Hailey) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
Long-termfarmfamilylaunchesanewgrainbusinessAnotherdaughteroftheValleyisBrettStevenson.Brettalsogrewupinafamilywithdeeprootsintheregionwhorunalarge,prosperousfarmintheBellevueTriangle.Afterattendingcollegeandgraduateschool,thenworkingfiveyearsforBlaineCountyasaplanner,BretthelpedlaunchtheBlaineCountyFoodCouncil.DuringmeetingswithCouncil,Stevensondiscovered“Thereisarealdisconnectbetweenthevisionariesandthefarmers.”Councilmembersentertainedawealthofgreatideas,butnoneofthemseemedtorefertothefarmersshegrewupwith.Shelookedforwaysof“bringinginthetraditionalproducers.”Manyhaveearneddecentincomessellingmaltbarleyandalfalfa.Yetinrecentyears,pricesbegantoslip.Brettwantedtofindnewoptionsforherfamilyandotherfarmersandawaytoprocesswhatisgrownlocally.“Wehaveawesomegrainhere.Itneedslittlewater,”soitissuitedtothelocalclimate.Ultimately,Brettdecidedtolaunchagraincleaningandmillingbusiness.ThiswillmeanthatfamiliesintheValleyhaveaccesstofreshlymilledflourfromlocallyraisedgrains.TogetherwithoutsideinvestorsshehiredadesignerfromDenmarktodesign,source,andinstallamid-scale
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graincleaningandmillingline—asizethatismuchmorecommoninEurope,butrareintheUSA.Initiallyitwillbecapableofmilling800poundsofgrainperhour.Herbusinessplanningconcludedthatbecauseofhershortsupplychainherpricesshouldbeverycompetitive.YetStevensoncautions,“Icouldn’tmakethisinvestmentsolelyforresidentsoftheWoodRiverValley.IwillhavetoreachbeyondtomarketsinJackson,SaltLakeCity,andlikelyCaliforniatomakeitpencilout.”Oncesheestablishestheflourbusiness,Stevensonishopefulaboutexpansionsthatmayincludemoreflour,abakery,andoramalthouseforlocalbrewers.Assheexpands,sheaimstoinvolvemorefarmsandfoodbusinesses,keepingmoremoneyintheWoodRiverValley.SimilarcollaborationselsewhereintheU.S.havesuccessfullyconnectedseedgrowers,grainfarmers,mills,bakeries,restaurants,andretailstoresintovibrantbusinessnetworks.Allarepredicatedonbuildingsignificanttrustamongthemembersoftheclustersotheycaneffectivelycoordinatetheirworkovertime.Mosthaveencouragedtheirfarmermemberstobuildsoilhealthalongtheway.AsfounderFredFlemingsaidofthecollaborationShepherdsGrain,launchedinthePacificNorthwest,thecluster’sgrowthfrom2,000bushelsofgrainin1985fromafewfarmsto600,000bushelsperyearfrom52farmsin2014wasbasedon“investinginrelationships—theonewehavewithyou,andtheoneyouhavewithus.”4
TheKonditorei(SunValley) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
4SeealsoMeter,Ken(2014).“InvestingInRelationships:HowSpokanecanbestsupportitsemerginglocalfoodsindustry.”CrossroadsResourceCenter.Availableatwww.crcworks.org/waspokeplan14.pdf.SeealsoMeter,K.(2018).“GrainBusinessClustersintheUS.”PowerPointpresentationbyKenMeter,CrossroadsResourceCenter,toJustFoodOttawa.March17.Availableatwww.crcworks.org/crcppts/ongrain180317.pdf
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CoffeegrowsfromaculturaltaprootThefoodservicemanagerattheKonditoreiRestaurantatSunValleyResortpassedalonganinterestinghistoryofhowacultureoffoodhastakenrootintheValley,amidthetouristeconomy.MattRobinsonrecalledthatthefounderoftheKonditoreiwasFredPendl,anAustrianbakerwhowasbroughtfromEuropeintheearlydaysoftheResortbyAlpineskierswhosoughttoinstillasenseofAustriancultureintotheResort.Todaytherestaurantstillfeaturesanelaborateselectionofbakedgoods,offeredinafestivesettingthatisreminiscentofanAustrianlodge.Significantly,eachofFred’stwodaughtersalsolaunchedfoodbusinesseswhentheygrewup.MarthaPendloperatedthePendlBakeryinDriggsfrom2003-2016.HersisterLizzieistheownerofLizzie’sFreshCoffeeinKetchum.BothfirmsareatestamenttotheAustriantraditionofcultivatingaculturethatsupportsfarmersandtastyfood—nowwovenintotheWoodRiverValleytradition.
JamonFrostenson,Loganics(Fairfield) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
SettlingbackhometogrowfoodoverthelongwintersAsJamonFrostensongrewuponafarmnearFairfieldhefoundhimselfimagininghewouldreturnhometofarmsomeday.Yethealsotooktimeaway,attendingWilliamsCollegewherehegainedconsiderablescientificexpertise.WhilehewasgonehemetAnnieRice,awomanwhohadgrownupjustafewmilesaway.BothoftheirancestorshadhomesteadedontheCamasPrairieabout1900.Theymarriedandrentedlandtofarmneartheirhomeplaces.AsJamonsetaboutplanninghisfarmbusiness,hecouldrelyuponworkingforhisfatheronanestablishedfamilyoperation.Yet
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healsoknewthatthefarmhewantedtobuildwouldbeverydifferent.Certainly,heraisescashcropsonhisland.Yethealsobeganexperimentingwithvegetables,sellingthemunderthetradenameLoganics.Oneyearheplantedseveralacresofcarrots.Hehadarrangedwithabuyertopurchasethem,butthedealfellthrough,sohehadtoscrambletofindalast-minutebuyer.Meanwhile,heappliedhistechnicaltalentstodevelopingawintergrowingchamberthatcouldraisegreensyearround.Inourinterview,Frostensonsaidhehadgonethroughfiveormoreiterationsofthechamber.Constructinghisowninsulatedwallsusingplywoodboardsthatsurroundedathickstyrofoamlayer,hewasabletoattainR-factorsashighas21.Atfirstheopenedupthebuildingstothesunlightforpartoftheday.Aseachiterationofthebuildingbecamemorecogentthanthepreviousones,heultimatelydecidedthathecouldcontrolthegrowingenvironmentmorepreciselybybuildingalight-tightcontainer,usinglayersofLEDlightstohelphisplantsgrow.Henowgrowsgreensinsoilinsideasmall,flatroomofabout150squarefeet.Relyingupongauges,timers,androllers,hecanadjustthelightingtosimulatesunshine,andeasilymovetraysofplantsintoproperpositionasneeded.Skepticalofcommoditypricesoverthelonghaul,andlimitedinwhathecancurrentlyproduceashetestshisproductionmethods,FrostensonhasfocusedonsellinghisgreensattheFairfieldFarmers’Market.And,sincehisin-lawsliveinBoise,hefindsiteasytodeliverhisproductstotheBoisemarketplaceinconjunctionwithfamilyvisits.Frostensonsaysthatafterallofthisexperimentation,hefeelsthatheisclosetohavingaworkingproductionsystemthatcouldbereplicatedbyothers.Heispatentingcertainaspectsofhistechnologytoprotecthisinventions.Whenthisintervieweraskedhimifhisexperienceinbuildinginsulatedwallpanelswouldmeanhecouldconstructon-farmcoldstorageforfarmersintheWoodRiverValley,hesaid,“absolutely.”
SherryandLarryKraay(Bellevue) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
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Kraay’sMarket&GardendeliversdirecttohouseholdsSherryKraayhaslonggrownfoodinhergardenattheKraays’farminBellevue,whileherhusbandLarryraisedArabianhorsesandstartedanationalfirm,DryNestAnimalBedding,evenasheworkedintheValleyasateacher.Astheoutputfromtheirgardenbecamemorethanthecouplecoulduse,theybegansharingtheirharvestwithfriends.AsinterestinlocalfoodsblossomedintheValley,theyenlargedtheirgardenfouryearsago,hopingtosupplyevenmoreoftheirneighborswhohadsignedupforfooddeliveries.YetintheirfirstyearasKraay’sMarket&Garden,thegardenfloundered,Larryrecalled.Theyconsideredabandoningtheeffort,but,asSherrysaid,“Thegreensdidn’tstopgrowing.”Sothecouplefocusedmoreondeliveringfoodraisedonnearbyfarms.Larryadded,“Wedidn’tplanonthisbeingabusiness.Anditisnotabusinessyet.”TheoperationrunsbecauseLarryandSherryareabletocountonothersourcesofincome,sotheycanvolunteertheirtime.TheypickupfoodsfromtheirfarmerpartnersinJerome,TwinFalls,Buhl,andHagermaneveryTuesdaywithoutchargingafeeforthedeliveryserviceexceptforcreditcardcharges.Theirmarkupontheproductstheycarryisrathersmallat25%(comparedto30-40%formanydistributors).TheKraaysandtheirstaffusetheirownvehiclestodeliverfoodweeklytosome600customers’homes.Theyfeelcrampedforstoragespaceandwashingandpackingcapacity.Yetallthesame,theysaytheychannel$165,000to$200,000ofincomeperyeartothe50farmersandothervendorswhosupplythem.Withthisorganicallygrownbusinessmodel,theKraayshavebuiltadevotedfollowing,forgingmutualtrustamongfarmers,chefs,andconsumersalike.Theytakeprideinthefactthattheyretainthefarmers’identitiesastheydeliverfoods:eachconsumerknowswhichfarmsaresupplyingthem.While85%oftheirbusinessishomedelivery,theKraaysalsodelivertochefs,schools,andcommercialaccountswhenasked.Theyalsosellretailfromtheirfarm,andhavetackledahostofeducationalmissionsaswell,includinghostingtheValley’sHarvestFestin2018.Theyacknowledgethattheirdeliveriesreachonlythemostprosperousconsumerswhoareabletopayforhomedelivery.TheKraaysestimatethattheyaremorethanhalfwaytotheirgoalofbeingabletosupportthemselvesthroughthedeliveryservice.With21,000peopleinBlaineCounty,theyknowthebusinessisthere.However,Sherrysaid,“Weneedmorefarmers,butnoonecanbuyfiveor10acrestoday.Wewouldliketoexpandintonewheatedgreenhouses.Wealsoneedmorepeoplebelievingintheconceptoflocalfood.”“Ournextgoal,”Sherryadded,“Istoinstallafreezer.”Thiswouldallowthemtosafelystoremeatsforlaterdistribution.Theywouldalsoliketobuildmorecoldstoragespace,andsomedayhopetodevelopakitchenandclassroomwheretheycanexpandtheireducationalofferings.Theywouldprefertoearnthisincomethemselves,sinceasLarrysaid,“Iamwaryofthedependenceoftakinggrants.”Yettheyalsowanttobringthebusinesstoamoresustainablepositionsosomeoneyoungercantakeitoverseveralyearsfromnow.
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TheHungerCoalitionprovidesfoodrelief;raisesawarenessAsthefoodpantryforBlaineCounty,TheHungerCoalition(THC)hasreachedouttolow-incomeresidentssince2003,whenagroupofvolunteersheadedbyTomIselinbegandistributingfoodtothoseinneed.Nowithasdistributedmorethanonemillionpoundsoffood.THC’sfoodreliefeffortsfarsurpasstheofferingsofits“shoppingarea,”wherepeoplecancometoselectfreefoodsasneeded.Newparentscangetassistanceinobtaininginfantformula(4,500bottlesweredispersedin2018).Collaboratingwithnearbyschools,THCoffersmealsandsnackstostudentsduringtheacademicyear,andalsodeliveredmorethan5,000mealstofivelocationsthroughits2018SummerProgram.WorkinginpartnershipwiththeWoodRiverFarmers’Market,TheHungerCoalitionraisedfundsthatallowshopperstodoublethevalueoftheirproducepurchasesatlocalfarmers’markets:forexample,ifonespends$20atthemarketusinganEBTorSNAPcard,theycantakehome$40worthoffreshfruits,vegetables,milk,meat,eggs,cheese,orhoney.THCalsodistributedmorethan1,000poundsofpetfoodincollaborationwithMountainHumane,ananimalshelter.Inadditiontothosenamedabove,THCcountsThePapooseClubandSt.Luke’sWoodRiverMedicalCenteraskeypartners.THC’s2015CommunityFoodAssessmentmadevisibletherealitythatoneofeverysixBlaineCountyresidentswasmakinguseoffoodrelief—evenpolicemen,firemen,andresortworkersrelyuponthisassistance.ThatreporthelpedinspirethecreationoftheBlaineCountyFoodCouncil.YetTHCrecognizesthatfoodreliefalonewillnotsolvehunger.Theissuesfacinglow-incomeresidentsarecomplexandlong-term,sobroaderstepsareneeded.Itnowplacesgreateremphasisoncapacity-buildingprogramssuchascookingclasses,nutritioneducation,money-managementtraining,andgrowingfood.In2016,THCopenedtheBloomCommunityFarm(alongwithitsBloomFoodTruck)attheQuigleyFarmeastofHailey.Here,alongwiththeHopeGardenlocatedindowntownHailey,residentscanlearnmoreaboutgrowingfood,performvolunteerworkinexchangeforfreshproduce,orgatherasawomen’sgrouptoworktogetherandsupporteachothertoaddressthechallengesoflivingonlimitedresources.Yettheneedcontinuestogrow.Today,BlaineCountyhasbecometheeighth-mostexpensivecountyintheU.S.infoodcosts,and19%ofallBlaineCountyresidentsreceivesomeformoffoodaidfromTheHungerCoalition.Moreover,THCconstituentsexperienceconsiderableembarrassmentwhentheyareforcedtorelyuponassistance.SotheCoalitionisembarkinguponalong-termefforttocreatewelcominggatheringspaces,hopingtobringresidentstogethertoaddressthegravesocialissuesthatcreatetheneedforfoodrelief.Aspartofthateffort,TheHungerCoalitionisstrivingtobringonnewboardmemberswhoaremorerepresentativeofthosetheyserve.
ConclusionsfromOurResearchTheabove,ofcourse,areonlyafewoftheexamplesofcommunityfoodsactivitythathastakenrootintheWoodRiverValleyandMagicValleyoverseveraldecades.Manyotherscouldbe
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mentioned.Theseprofilesarenotmeanttoelevateanyofthesegroupsaboveotherendeavors,buthopefullywillpresentboththeface,andaclearimage,ofongoingcommunityfoodsactivity.
EconomictrendsareworrisomeSeealsoAppendixBforfurtherdetail.Thesecommunityinnovatorsoperateinsideacontextthathasprovenexceptionallydifficultforfarmersandresidentsalike.ThepopulationofBlaineCountyrose283%(nearlyafour-foldincrease)from5,694in1969to21,791in2016(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018;SeealsoChart1inAppendixBofthisreport).MuchofthisincreasewasduetoaninfluxofnewresidentswhocametolivenearSunValley,drawnbyitsmountains,accesstonature,scenery,recreationalopportunities,andrelativeisolation.Moreover,thesenewcomersbroughtinsubstantialwealth.Overallpersonalincomerosearemarkable1,275percent,afteradjustingforinflation,from$22.4millionin1969(or$147millionin2016dollars)to$2billionin2016(Chart2).Thisisanearly14-foldincrease(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018).Thevastmajorityofthisnewincomeisearnedfromcapitalinvestments:interestonsavingsaccounts,dividendsfromsecurities,andrentalincome(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018).Allothersourcesofpersonalincomegrewrelativelyslowlyordeclined.ThissuggeststhatmostoftheincomeincreaseisduetoincomesourcedoutsideofBlaineCounty;newresidentsbroughtitwiththemwhentheymovedin.Fortheaverageresident,however,fewnewsourcesofincomewereavailable—whilelivingcostsrosebecausemoreprosperousresidents,andvisitors,wereabletospendathigherrates.
Asaresult,BlaineCountyranks27thintheU.S.forinequalityamongitsresidents.ThisinequalityislargelydrivenbyconditionsintheHailey-Ketchumarea,whichranksasninth-highestforinequalityofanymetropolitanareaintheUS(Blanchard,2018,citingEconomicPolicyInstitutedata).5“AccordingtotheEconomicPolicyInstitute(EPI),thetop1percentofearnersinBlaineCountymakeabout$3.6milliononaverage.Theother99percentofthepopulationaverages$77,353—46.8timesless.”(Blanchard,2018)6
Infact,FeedingAmericadatashowsthatthecostoffeedingahungrypersoninBlaineCountyis$4.39permeal—theeighthhighestcostamongallUScounties.(Thosecostsrangefrom$2.04to$6.20permeal.)Further,FeedingAmericaestimatesthat10.4%oftheBlaineCountypopulation(2,230adultsandchildren)isfoodinsecure,andcalculatesthatitwouldrequire$1.75Blanchard,N.(2018).“ThisIdahoareahasoneofthemostextremeincomeinequalitygapsinthecountry.”IdahoStatesman,July22.ViewedJanuary17,2019athttps://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/personal-finance/article215335440.html#storylink=cpyhttps://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/personal-finance/article215335440.html6Sommeiller,E.&Price,M.(2018).TheNewGildedAge:IncomeInequalityintheU.S.byState,MetropolitanArea,andCounty.EconomicPolicyInstitute,July.Dataarefortaxunits(singleadultsormarriedcouples),referredtointhereportasfamilies,andfor2015,unlessotherwiseindicated.https://www.epi.org/multimedia/unequal-states-of-america/#/Idaho
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millioneachyeartoprovideemergencyrelieftoallresidentswhorequireaid(Gunderson,2018;Blanchard2018).7Thisisinadditiontothe$1millionofSNAPbenefitsthatBlaineCountyresidentscurrentlyreceive(Chart9).Overall,BlaineCountyresidentscurrentlypurchasemorethan$63millionoffoodeachyeartoeatathome.Thisestimateislow,becauseitisbasedupondatacoveringtheWesternstates,andisnotspecifictoBlaineCounty.8Basedonthistallyweestimatethatatleast$60millionoftheseexpendituresgoforfoodssourcedoutsideoftheCounty.Foracountywithaproudheritageofagriculture,whosefarmerssellabout$35millionoffoodcommoditieseachyear,thisisastrikingloss.WhileBlaineCountyfarmersfocusedonsupplyingcommoditymarkets,thenumberoffarmsintheCountyfell17%overthepast48years,from224in1969to186in2012.Duringthisperiod,considerablelandwasalsotakenoutoffarming.In1969,BlaineCountyfarmersworked250,249acres;by2012totalfarmacreagehadfallento179,130,adecreaseof28percent(CensusofAgriculture,1969;2012).Topfarmproductsareforage,barley,andcattle.Moreover,farmersfacesubstantialuncertainty.WhileBlaineCountyfarmersenjoyednetcashincomeof$7to$9millionin1974,1990,and1993,androdeaspeculationbubblein2011,theoveralltrendofnetfarmincomehasbeendeclines.In19ofthepast48years,netcashincomewasnegative,andfarmersearned$3millionlessbyproducingcropsandlivestockin2016thantheyhadearnedin1969(Charts4-5).Duringthisera,productionshiftedfromlivestocktocashcrops(Chart6)(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018).Unfortunately,federalfarmpaymentswerethelargestandmostconsistentsourceoffarmincomefrom1977to1988,whilerentalincomedominatedfrom1997tothepresent(Chart8).Thusforlandowners,rentingoutfarmlandisamorereliablesourceofincomethanactuallyfarmingtheland(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018).Meanwhile,hungerincreasedinBlaineCounty,despitetheriseofpersonalincomenotedabove.AsChart9shows,SNAPrecipientscollected$200,000ofbenefitsin1970(nodatawererecordedfor1969),butbenefitsrosedramaticallyduringtheglobalhousingfinancecrisis,peakingat$1.8millionin2012,andnowstandatabout$1millionperyear(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018).NotonlydoesSNAPdatarevealthevulnerabilityoftheBlaineCountypopulation,italsoshowshowmuchthisvulnerabilityisconnectedtoglobaleventsoutsideofthecontrolofcountyresidents.Alsocritical,itshowsthelossesenduredunderafarmeconomythatisgearedtoexportingcommoditiestodistantmarkets,whilelocalpeoplegohungry.
7Gundersen,C.;Dewey,A.;Crumbaugh,A.;Kato,M;&Engelhard,E.(2018).MaptheMealGap2018:AReportonCountyandCongressionalDistrictFoodInsecurityandCountyFoodCostintheUnitedStatesin2016.FeedingAmerica.ProvidedbyTheHungerCoalition.8CalculationbyMeterusingBureauofLaborStatisticsConsumerExpenditureSurveydatafor2015.(BureauofLaborStatistics,2015).
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KeyConcernsraisedininterviewsWoodRiverValleyRegionfoodleadersalsoholdboldvisionsforthefutureoffoodintheregion.Someofthesewillbecoveredbelow.Althoughsomewillmoveforwardontheirownmomentum,severalarelikelytorequiresignificantsupportiftheyaretoflourish.Further,ourinterviewsshowedthatWoodRiverValleyRegionfoodleadersidentifyastrongneedforgreatercoordination,andmorepragmaticmanagement,ofcommunityfoodactivity,ifitistothriveinthefuture.Thekeyconcernsraisedbyourintervieweesarelistedbelow.InequalityofwealthandincomeOneofthemajorchallengestheWoodRiverValleyRegionfacestodayisthetremendousinequalityofincomeandwealth.StudieshavedocumentedthatBlaineCountyexperiencessomeofthegreatestinequalityintheU.S.MuchofthewealthwasgainedoutsidetheValley.Suchwealthisatremendouscommunityresource,butalsohastheconsequenceofraisingpricesforthosewholivehere.Asaresult,staffofTheHungerCoalitionreportthattheorganizationprovidesfoodrelieftooneofeveryfiveresidents[interviewwithBrookeMcKenna].Moreover,foodpricesinBlaineCountyarethe8thhighestintheUS,asnotedabove.Moreover,oneintervieweestated,“40to50%ofthepopulationisburdenedbyhousingcosts.”UnevenprogressincommunityfoodsinitiativesOneValleyfoodleaderlamentedthat“Fiveyearsago,IhadmorechoicesforbuyingfromlocalfarmsthanIhavetoday.”Anotherleadercomplainedthatthefoodworkisjust“spinning[its]wheels.”Asstillanotherpointedout,“Wehavelotsofgreatmeetingsaboutfood,butnothinggetsaccomplished.”Anotherconcludedthatwell-intendedprogrammaticinvestmentshadunintentionallydrawnwealthfromfarmers.LackofpragmaticfocusEssentially,withtheregion’swealth,vibrantconsumermarket,anddeepfarmheritage,therearesomanyrichopportunitiesthatleadersareparalyzedbychoice.Asoneleadersaid,“Thereisanurbanidealismherecombinedwithalackofwillingnesstodothehardwork.”Anotheradded,“Manyleaderslookforthe‘nextnewidea’ratherthandiscipliningthemselvestogetpragmatictasksdone.”PartnersdonotalwaysfeelwellservedFarmersandchefswhohavebeeninvolvedinrecentoutreachactivitiesexpressedfrustrationwiththeirroles.Onefarmernotedthattheseevents“askedagreatdealoffarmers,butofferedlittleinreturn.”Onechefaddedeventshecookedforwere“anelitethingthatdidnotpenetratetomostresidents’lives.Farmersdonatedfood,andchefsdonatedconsiderabletime,butgotverylittleoutofit.”LingeringlossesordisputesfuelhopelessnessManyofthepeopleweinterviewedoffereddetailedaccountsoftraumaticsituationsthatneverwereresolved.Someofthesewereunresolvedpersonalconflicts.Someinvolvedorganizationalbreakdowns.Othersnotedthattheiropinionshadbeenmarginalized.Fewfelttheyholdthepowertointervenetocutthroughaconflictedsituation.Itseemedtherewasnowheretoturntoresolvedifferences.
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IndividualismoftenlimitscollaborationIdaho’sspiritofindividuallibertyoftenpromptspeopletofallbackintotheirownindividualworld,especiallywhenconflictsgounresolved.Thishasworkedagainstbuildingacultureofcollaboration.Long-termneighborsandcolleagueswhoenjoyeachotherandknoweachotherwellneverthelesspursuetheirstrategicprioritiesinisolationfromeachother,andmeasuresuccessbygaugingtheirpersonalincomeorpower,ratherthanbycalculatingacommunitybenefit.MarketshavefailedthemajorityofresidentsHighcostsofland,lackofsupportiveinfrastructure,andwealthinequalityallconspiretocreateanimmensegapbetweenwhatfarmersneedtothrive,andwhatconsumerscanpay.Undertheseconditions,marketforceswillnotcreatefairpricing.Thisgapmayonlybefilledthroughphilanthropyorsubsidy,ifonlyintheformoflower-incomeresidentspayingforhealthcareforfood-relatedconditions,orgoingwithoutfood,orbywealthierresidentspayingmoreforfoodinwaysthatsupportaccessforothers.ThisdisconnectispreciselywhatTheHungerCoalitionisorganizedtoaddress.Buildingincentivessothatmoreresidentsinvestintheprocesswillalsobeimportant.Evenestablishedfarmfamiliesrelyuponoff-farmincomeWhiletheregionhostsseveralfarmfamilieswhohavebuiltconsiderablewealth,ingeneralthiswasgainedinanearliererawhenfarmingwasmorelucrative,orthewealthwasbuiltthroughoff-farmactivities.Whilepricesformaltingbarleyandalfalfahavebeenbeneficialinrecentyears,trendsshowthisisdeclining.Asaresult,itisextremelydifficultforanyonetostartafarmwithoutpriorwealth,orassistancefromsomeonewithwealth.Itiseventenuoustomanageawellestablishedfarmoperationwithoutoutsidesourcesofincome.ManyofthefarmerssellingfoodlocallyarenearingretirementIftheWoodRiverValleyRegiondoesnothavesystemsinplacetosupportgenerationsofnewfarmersonanongoingbasis,agricultureitselfisvulnerable.Inparticular,theregioncouldlosetoretirementthefarmsthathavesoldfoodtolocalconsumersfordecades,withoutgrowingnewfarmerstoreplacethem.
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MikeHeath,M&MHeathFarm(Buhl) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
KeyStrengths,Weaknesses,Obstacles,andOpportunitiesidentifiedinourinterviewsKeyStrengths:
• TheWoodRiverValleyandMagicValleyeachholdastrongheritageoffarming• Regionresidents“havethemindsettoeathealthier,locallyraisedfood”• SunValleyhasanexceptionalcoreofdonorswhohaveinvestedinthebroader
communityKeyWeaknesses:
• Prevailingfoodinfrastructurestronglyfavorsfoodimportsandexportsovercommunityfoodtrade
• Goodpeoplewithsolidvisionareworkingseparatelyratherthancollaboratively• Althoughresidentsknoweachotherandarefriendlytoeachother,genuine
collaborationislimited.Moreneedstobeaccomplished• Muchofthecommunityfoodsactivityhasengagedonlyhigher-incomeresidents
KeyObstacles:
• Inequality• Lackofcollaborationorcommunication:“Everyoneisalwaysdoingtheirownthing”
KeyOpportunities:
• WoodRiverValleyRegionhasenoughland,wealth,andconsumerpurchasingpowertobuildastrongcommunityfoodsystem
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• PrioritizeprojectsthatwillstrengthentrustandcollaborationamongWoodRiverValleyRegionstakeholders
• EngageadiverseandbroadrangeofWoodRiverValleyRegionresidentsincommunityfoodsefforts
• WorkcollaborativelytoleverageTheHungerCoalition’sexpansion• Buildadistributionnetworkappropriatetotheleveloffarmproduction• Buildcoldstorageonwholesalingfarms(couldbebuiltbylocalfarmers)• BuildwarehousespaceandcoldstorageinHailey/Bellevue• Marketfailureintheprevailingfoodsystemcreatesopportunitiesforcommunities
ThechoicetheWoodRiverValleyRegionfacesEssentially,theWoodRiverValleyRegion(WRVR)canprioritizebychoosingamongseveralpotentialpaths:
1. WRVRcaninvestintheconceptofindividualliberty.2. WRVRcaninvestinexportingfoodtootherregions.3. WRVRcaninvestinthelatestnewidea,project,ortechnology.4. WRVRcaninvestinthewell-to-do.5. WRVRcaninvestinbuildingacultureofcollaboration.6. WRVRcaninvestinbrandingitselfasaregionwhereeveryoneeatswell.
1.WRVRcaninvestintheconceptofindividuallibertyInvestingintheconceptofindividualliberty(thatis,“anadultgetstodowhatevertheywanttodo”)iswhollyconsistentwithIdaho’straditionoflibertarianindividualism.Thisproudculturehelpedremotefamiliessurviveamidstharshconditions,andholdconsiderablepoweratatimewhensocialandpoliticalinstitutionsarechallenged.Yetoneoftheprofoundresultsofsuchaninvestmentisthatpeopleappeartofeelisolatedfromeachother,unabletoresolveconflicts,andunclearhowtocoordinate.Toinvestinindividualnotionsofsuccessistoinvestin(a)reducedfarmincome,(b)increasedpovertyandhunger,(c)limitedspendingpower,and(d)increasedisolationandasenseofhopelessness.2.WRVRcaninvestinadditionalfarmproductsthatcanbeexportedtooutsidebuyers.Theexportstrategyiscertainlyapaththatisfavoredbyexistinginfrastructure,andholdsthepotentialforearningshort-termfarmandfoodprocessingincomethatcouldmaketheregionmoreprosperous.Indeed,thefarmingandfood-manufacturingsectorsofSouthernIdahoareamongthenationallyprominentfoodsectorsoftheUS.Withgoodsoil,amplewater,andlimitedpublicintervention,theregionhasprosperedinmanyofthesamewaystheUSfarmandfoodsectorhas:achievinggreateconomiesofscale,itsuppliesurbanmarketsandforeignconsumerswithvaluablecommoditiesatcompetitiveprices.YetfarmersinSouthernIdaho,likerestoftheUS,holdlittlepowertonegotiatefairtermswhenmarketsaresothoroughlyownedordominatedbyoutsiders,asprevailingglobalmarketsare.
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Farmers,processors,andthustheentireregion,arevulnerablebecausepurchasersholdcoreloyaltiesthatoftendifferdrasticallyfromthoseoflocalfirms.Nordogrowersfacelong-termsustainability:ThegrowthofthedairyindustryinIdaho,forexample,hasthreatenedthesurvivaloffamilyfarmareasinWisconsin,Pennsylvania,andNewEngland.ThesamethreatislikelytoloomoverIdahofarmersasnewdairybarnsandprocessorscomeonlineinotherregionsglobally,orasspendingpatternsshift.Moreover,oneoftheironiesofthefarmandfoodsectorinSouthernIdahoisthatthisregionhasproventhemostdifficultforMagicValleyfarmerstosellto,becauseofalimitedinterestinfoodgrownonnearbyfarms.YettheWoodRiverValleyitselfisevenmorechallengedbyitsshortgrowingseasonifitfocusesonexportingfood.TherearemultiplecompetingproducersintheUSandabroadwitheither(a)longergrowingseasons,(b)lowerlandcosts,(c)lowerlaborcosts,(d)lowerinputcosts,(e)morehighlydevelopedfarmservicessuchasmaintenanceorinputdealers,or(f)closeraccesstomarkets.Simplyput,themaincompetitiveadvantagethatWoodRiverValleyfarmersandprocessorscouldholdeconomicallywouldbetotradewiththosewhohavecommittedthemselvestocollaboratingoverthelongtermtobuildabetterlifeforValleyresidents.3.WRVRcaninvestinthelatestnewidea,project,ortechnologyDuringthepastfourdecades,U.S.farmproductivityhasmorethandoubled,butoverallnetfarmincomeislower(EconomicResearchService20129,201310).Thishighlightsthefactthattechnologicalinnovationsmayoffershort-termincome,especiallytoearlyadaptors,butdonotalwaysresultinlong-termfinancialsecurity.Evenmoretroubling,manyeffortstoinvestinwaysthatincreasethescaleofproduction—inawell-meaningefforttoreduceoperatingcosts—enduppromotingoutsideinterests.Asonesmallexample,thosefarmersthathaveachievedscaleoftenfindthattheyfocusattentiononurbanpurchasersinBoiseorSaltLakeCity,andholdlimitedinterestinsellingtoWoodRiverValleyRegionconsumers.IfacultureofcollaborationisnotbuiltintheValley,thebenefitsofnewtechnologicaladvancesarelikelytoaccruetothosewhoarewealthiest(thosewhocanaffordtheinnovations),andarelikelytoerodeinthematterofafewyears.Effectivecollaboration,throughstrongsocialconnectionsandeffectivebusinessclusters,couldcreateeconomicbenefitsthataremore
9USDAEconomicResearchService,FarmBalanceSheetseries.(2012).Part1:Farmincomeandbalancesheetindicators,1929-2012F,expressedinconstant(2005=100)dollars.10USDAEconomicResearchService,FarmProductivityseries.(2013).Table1.Indicesoffarmoutput,input,andtotalfactorproductivityfortheUnitedStates,1948-2009.Retrievedfromhttps://academic.oup.com/view-large/122706
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broadlyshared,andlongerlasting.Suchnetworkswillbefarmorecriticaltosuccessthananyindividualenterprise,nomatterhowinnovativeitmaybe.4.WRVRcaninvestinthewell-to-doInvestorswillnottakestronginterestininitiativesthatdonotappealtotheirindividualself-interest.Yetunfortunately,manyopttoengagewithnewprojectsforthesakeofthebenefitstheymaybringamonganexclusivesetofpeers,forreasonsofpersonalandprofessionalprestige.Suchinvestmentsmaybeproblematic.Unfortunately,thismeansthatcertaininvestmentseffectivelysubsidizethosewhoalreadyhavemeans.Doingsotendstoexacerbateincomeandwealthinequalities,anddoeslittletosolvetheissuesfacedbyless-prosperousresidents.Moreover,investinginmakingsuretheaveragecitizenleadsacomfortablelifealsobenefitsthosewhohavegreatermeans.5.WRVRcaninvestinbuildingacultureofcollaborationEfficienciescanbegainedthroughgreatercollaborationjustaseffectivelyasbyproducingatalargerscale.Giventheprevailingsenseofisolationandlackofconflictresolution,accompaniedbygreatinequalitiesofincomeandwealth,itseemscriticaltofocusoninvestmentsthatwillbuildlastingcollaborations.Thisoftensupportingprocessesthatbuildeffectivecollaborationasmuchasspecificprojects.Buildingcollaboration,however,istoswimupstreamagainstpowerfulcurrentsthatreinforceindividualismandisolation.Thisworkcanbedifficultandmaybringfewshort-termrewards,butdoesbringlong-termbenefitsthatreinforceeachotherovertime.6.WRVRcaninvestinbrandingitselfasaregionwhereeveryoneeatswellOnewaytobuildmoreeffectivecollaborationmightbetotacklea“bigvision”projectthathasbroadsupport.Forexample,apotentinclusivelocalbrandingcouldgalvanizeawealthofactivityandprovideaclearframeworkforcollaboration.ByembracingtheBigIdeathatWoodRiverValleyRegioncanbeaplace“WhereEveryoneEatsWell,”muchofthesenseofmissedopportunitycanberedirectedintopositiveactivity.ThiswouldalsohelptheValleybuildalastingculturethatfostersindividualself-determination,healthierlifestylesandmorevibrantcommunities.Onegrowerelegantlyidentifiedasolidpathforward:“Theregionneedstocreateabusinessplanforseekingself-sufficiencyasaregion.”HesuggestedthattheamountoffoodthatwouldbeneededtofeedValleyresidentsbecalculated(SeeTable1,AppendixB)andthatsolidleadersmakesurethatfoodisgrown,harvested,anddistributedtoValleyresidents.Thisapproachsuggestsinvestinginthe“right”scaletofeedValleyresidents,notlargerscaleforitsownsake.Yetthisapproachalsorequiresconsiderablecommitmentandlong-termpersistence.
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KeyOpportunitiesAsaresultofourresearchandinterviews,ourstrategicfocusistoencouragesocialandcommercialcollaborationsthatreweaveafabricoftrustandcollaborationoverthelongterm.Thisincludeseffectivebusinessclusters.
AlexSanchez,OasisMarketFarm(Buhl) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
KeyElementsofthisWorkPlan(Eachisexplainedingreaterdetailbelow)
1.Unifycommunityfoodscoordination2.BrandtheWoodRiverValleyRegionwithaninclusivevision3.FormalizetheWRVWholesaleProducePartnership(WPP)4.SolidifytheStatusoftheWoodRiverFarmers’Markets
1.UnifycommunityfoodscoordinationWhatitis:Broadentherepresentationofcommunityfoodsystemstakeholderstocreateastrongconsolidatedworkinggrouptocoordinateandoverseefoodsystemactivity.
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Whoisinvolved:• SunValleyInstitute’sLocalFoodAlliance(AiméeChristensen,StacyWhitman,Amy
Mattias,andtheSVIboardofdirectorsandadvisoryboard)• BlaineCountyFoodCouncil• TheHungerCoalition• Farmers• Foodbusinesses• UniversityofIdaho—BlaineCountyExtension• ResidentsofBellevueandHailey• Otherpartnersasneeded
Wherethiswillhappen:
• CentereduponHaileyandBellevue• ConnectingtofarmersinCarey,CamasCounty,theMagicValleyandFairfieldareas• ConnectingtoKetchum
When:Thisworkshouldbeginimmediately.Purposes:
• Tocreateaworkingboardthatisfocusedonachievementsandensuringthatcommunityfoodsworkisinclusive.
• TocoordinatecommunityfoodsactivityintheWoodRiverValleyRegionwiththatinnearbyregionsincludingCarey,CamasCounty,MagicValley,andTwinFalls.
• Tobuildcommunityfoodtrade,solidcollaborations,andeffectivebusinessclusters.• Tocoordinateactivitiesundertakenbyparticipatingorganizations.
SuccessMeasures:
• SalesbypartnerfarmstoWoodRiverValleyRegionhouseholdandwholesalecustomers(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)
• PurchasesbypartnerbuyersfromMagicValleyandWoodRiverValleyRegionfarms(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)
• Freshfoodsconveyedbysale,barter,ordonationtoWoodRiverValleyRegionresidentslivingatorbelow185%oftheFederalPovertyLimit(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)
• Acresofsustainablyraisedproduceharvestedforthiscollaboration.• Socialandcommercialnetworksbuiltthatengagefarmers,householdconsumers,and
foodbuyers.• Partnerperceptionsoftheefficacyofthiscoordination(annualsurvey).
BackgroundandRationale:TheWoodRiverValleyRegionhaslaunchedthreedifferentgroupsthathavecoordinatedkeyelementsofcommunityfoodsactivity—theBlaineCountyFoodCouncil(BCFC),theLocalFoodAlliance(LFA;nowformallyapartoftheSunValleyInstitute),andTheHungerCoalition,thefoodbankforBlaineCounty.
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YetamongthepeopleselectedforinterviewsbyLFAandBCFCforthisstrategicplanningprocess,noneheldaclearsenseofexactlywherecommunityfoodsystemsleadershipwasvested.TheBlaineCountyFoodCouncil(BCFC)formedafterTheHungerCoalition’sBlaineCountyFoodAssessmentwaspublishedin2015.Thatreportwasinstrumentalinraisingthevisibilityofhungerasaconcern.Severalwhohadbeeninvolvedinthestudydecidedtocontinuemeetingsotheycouldaddresshungerandahostofothercommunityfoodsconcerns.TheylaunchedtheCouncil.Itsprimeactionfocushasbeenonschoolandrestaurantfoodprocurement.Membersalsosaiditplaysaneffectiverolebybringingtogetherlocalfoodsystemleadersonaregularbasistokeepeachotherinformedofnewdevelopments.AnothergroupthathastakenconsiderableleadershipistheLocalFoodAlliance.LFAintendstoplayacatalyzingrolebyhelpingpromisingfoodinitiativestolaunch,andhelpingthemobtainneededtechnicalandfinancialresources.LFAalsohashostedanumberofcommunityeventstobringgreatervisibilitytolocalfarmers,chefs,andfoods.LFAisledbytwopart-timecontractedworkers,leadingthefoodprogramofthenon-profitorganizationSVI.Alsotakingsubstantialleadership,especiallybyengaginglow-incomeresidents,isTheHungerCoalition.Asnotedabove,ithasprovidedfoodreliefforthoseinneedsince2003,andisalsoincreasingitscapacity-buildingofferings.Its2015CommunityFoodAssessmenteffectivelyplacedhungerissuesinfrontofBlaineCountyresidents.Nowthatisdiversifyingitsleadershipbase,THCiswellpoisedtobringnewvoicesintocommunityfoodsplanning.Additionalvoicesmustalsobeadded,andaunifiedcoreofleadersbuilt.Thisleadershipgroupmustensurethatapracticalfocusiskept.Whilemanyofthoseinterviewedreportedtheyhadbuiltasolidspiritofcamaraderiewithothers,andthatconsiderableinformationisshared,severalparticipantsmadecommentssuchas,“Wemeetallthetime,andwelikeeachother,butnothingseemstogetdone.”Onefood-systemleaderstatedthattheValleysupportedevenstrongerfood-systemactivityfiveyearsagothanitdoesnow.Thebasicgapappearstobealackofpracticalfocus.Asoneleadersaid,“Thereisanurbanidealismherecombinedwithalackofwillingnesstodothehardwork.”Anotheradded,“Manyleaderslookforthe‘nextnewidea’ratherthandiscipliningthemselvestogetpragmatictasksdone.”Essentially,withtheregion’swealth,vibrantconsumermarket,anddeepfarmheritage,therearesomanyrichopportunitiesthatleadersareparalyzedbychoice.Thisinterviewernotedthatgoodpeoplewithexcellentvisionsaremovingforwardeffectively,pursuingtheirstrategicprioritiesbutseldomdirectlycoordinatingwithotherleaders.Thecommunityissmallenoughthatmosteveryoneknowsalltheotherstakeholders.Forthemostpart,peoplefeelgoodabouteachother’swork.Yetevenpeoplewhomeetwitheachotherfairlyoftenstillappeartoworkasiftheywereoperatingonseparatepaths.Missingissomeperson,group,oreffectivenetworkwiththesocialandpoliticalpresencetoencourageparticipantstoactuallygetdowntopragmaticworkandmakesuregoalsareaccomplished.Whilethiscoordinationdoesnotinherentlyneedtobetackledbyasingleperson—iftheregiondevelopsastrongercultureofcollaborationandaccomplishment—itmaybeusefulintheshorttermtovestonepersonorentitywithpowertoensurethatstakeholders
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stayfocusedoncollaboratingandfollowingthroughoncommitments.Thismaybeassimpleashavingregularphonecallsandconferencesthatarefocusedonactionandstrategicreflection.Morecriticaltotheconceptofbrandingtheregionasaninclusiveregionthatfeedsitself(seebelow),thecurrentleadershipstructureisnotdiverse.ThegroupthathasperhapsaccomplishedthemostinmovingtowardmoreinclusiveleadershipisTheHungerCoalition,whichismovingtowardmakingsurethatfoodrecipientsarerepresentedontheiradvisorycouncil.TheyarealsotheonefoodorganizationmosteffectivelyrootedwithresidentsoftheHaileyandBellevuecommunities,evenwhileservingallofBlaineCounty.OtherleadershipcirclesinWoodRiverValleyRegionhaveoftenfocusedonmeetingwithpeoplewhoshareaffinity,butdonotofferbroadrepresentationofmultiplevoices.MuchofthestrategicthinkinghasfocusedontheKetchumendoftheValley,andmuchofthefoodsoldhasbeendirectedthereaswell.IftheWoodRiverValleyRegionwishestobemoreresilient,itwillneedtobroadentherepresentationtoincludeallresidentsoftheValley,andincludediversevoicesinitsvisioningandimplementation.Oneissuethatbearstreatmenthereisthatmanyoftheleaderswhohavesurfacedwithstronginterestincommunityfoodsarealsopeoplewhoseworkorvacationtimeoftentakesthemoutoftheregion.Thissporadicpresencecanmakeitdifficulttoparticipatemeaningfullyinprojectsthatrequirecoordination.Greaterattentionshouldbeplacedoncultivatingleaderswhoareabletoworkday-by-daytoimplementthisstrategicplan.Activities:
• AiméeChristensen,StacyWhitman,andAmyMattiasofSVImeetwithTheHungerCoalitionearlyin2019toestablishcommonvaluesandstrategies.
• AiméeChristensenandStacyWhitmanofSVImeetwithLaurenGoldenofUniversityofIdahoBlaineExtensionearlyin2019toestablishcommonvaluesandstrategies.Inspecific,thismeetingshouldaddresshowBCFCandLFAcouldformastrongercollaborationbyexpandingtheleadershipcircleinthewaysstatedhere.
• Christensen/SVI/LFAandGoldenframeastrategyforeffectivelycoordinatingcommunityfoodsactivitythroughalarger,morediverseentitythatincludesgroupslikeTheHungerCoalition,additionalfarmers,residentsofHailey,Bellevue,orotherBlaineCountycommunities,andothersasappropriate,joiningasmembersofaleadershipcircle.Eveniftheseorganizationsdecidetoworkseparately,morediverseleadershipwouldbebeneficial,andgreatercoordinationisessential.ThisstrategywouldbeimplementedbyWhitman,Mattias,andothers.
• ThisgroupofkeyleaderscouldbeimmediatelyformedasaCommunityFoodsWorkingGroup(CFWG)convenedtoimplementelementsofthisstrategicplan.OrthismightbeaccomplishedbyBCFCexpandingitsleadershipandshiftingitsfocustofilltheroleoftheWorkingGroup..Theactionpriorityatthistime,outsideofformingamoreinclusiveteam,istolaunchaWholesaleProducePartnership,asoutlinedinSection3.ThisgroupmayalsowishtoconvenethosewhowereinterviewedaspartofthisprocesstoreviewandrefinethisStrategicPlan.Overthelongterm,theCFWG/BCFCshouldconsiderhostingannualfarmermeetingsinwinter.AstheCFWG/BCFCdevelopspracticalexperiencetogether,itcanexplorehowtoformalizethisasaleadershipgroup/organizationalstructurebasedonpracticalexperienceinthispartnership.
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• AmyMattias,StacyWhitman,andLaurenGoldencouldcollaboratewiththisWorkingGrouptohostanannualfarmers’meetingduringtheoff-season,beginningin2019or2020.Atthismeeting,farmerswhosupplyfoodtoWoodRiverValleyRegionwouldconvenetodiscusscommonproductionissues,evaluateprogressinbuildingacommunityfoodsystemtodate,strategizehowtobuildthestrongestcommunityfoodsystempossible,andlaunchimplementationoftheirplans.
• Morefrequentmeetingsamongfarmersarecertainlydesirabletotheextentthatfarmersandothercommunityfoodspartnersfeelthisisproductivetime.ThisschedulecanbedeterminedbytheCFWG/BCFC.
• IftheCFWG/BCFCcanworkwiththe“1%Blaine”investmenteffort,orotherwiseobtainfundingthatwouldallowittoinvestin(a)pilotprojects;(b)challengegrants;or(c)smallresearchinitiativesthathelpbuildcommunityfoodstradeandinfrastructure,thiswillprovideastrongerpresencetotheWorkingGroup.
• TheCFWG/BCFCshouldcreateaformal,moredetailedbusinessplanforimplementingthisStrategicPlan.Onekeydecisioniswhethertoinvestinaspecificfacility(SeeSection2below).Itisassumedthatanysuchfacilitywouldbeacollaborationamongmanygroupswhowouldraisefundsincommon,creatinganoperationthatearnsoperatingincomeandblendsthiswithphilanthropicsupporttoachieveitseducationalandcommunitybuildingpurposes.
• TheCFWG/BCFCwouldalsotakechargeofimplementingthebrandingstrategyoutlinedinthisdocument.
• OtherelementsofthisStrategicPlanmaybetakenupbytheCFWG/BCFCatitsdiscretion.
• Onegeneralprinciplethatshouldbefollowedistopairolder,moreexperiencedleaderswithyoungeremergingleaders,allowingtheircomplementaryskillstocreatelastingleadershipcapacityintheWoodRiverValleyRegion.OneexampleofthisistheproposedpartnershipofMikeHeathandAmyMattiastoimplementtheWholesaleProducePartnership(SeeSection3).
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FieldatSquashBlossomFarm(Bellevue) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
2.BrandtheWoodRiverValleyRegion(WRVR)withaninclusivevisionWhatitis:ReframetheWoodRiverValleyRegioncommunityfoodsmovementasonethatbenefitsallresidentsoftheregionandpromotesregionalresiliency.Whoisinvolved:
• TheHungerCoalitionstandsatthecenterofeffortstocreateaninclusivecommunityfoodsysteminBlaineCounty.Thisorganizationworkscloselywiththosewhoaremostmarginalized,soitiskeytoexpandinginclusiveness.
• TheBlaineCountySchoolDistrictalsoholdsconsiderablepowerandresponsibilityinthisissue,becauseWoodRiverresidentsallfeelthey“belong”totheschool.Schoolsaregatheringplacesthataresupportedbyallresidentsthroughtaxes.
• TheBlaineCountyFoodCouncilwasformedasaresultofTheHungerCoalition’seffortstoraisethevisibilityofhungeramongmarginalizedresidentsthroughtheBlaineCountyFoodSystemAssessment.Thisplacesbothpartnersinasolidpositiontotakeleadershipmovingforward.
• TheSunValleyInstituteanditsLocalFoodAlliancemayplayastrongroleiftheyareabletofocustheireffortsonlower-incomeHaileyandBellevueresidents,aswellasfarmers.StacyWhitmanofSVI,inparticular,hasbuiltstrongconnectionstoBlaineCountyschoolsthatcouldplayacentralroleinfosteringbroaderpubliceducation.OtherSVIstaffwouldparticipateasappropriate.
• AsoutlinedaboveinSection1,anewleadershipgroupshouldbeformedthatincludesallofthesepartnersaswellasmanyotherstakeholders(tobedetermined).
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Wherethiswillhappen:• EffortsshouldbefocusedonmakingdirectcontactwithresidentsofHaileyand
Bellevue,aswellasfarmersintheMagicValleyandFairfieldwhosupplyWoodRiverValleyRegionhouseholdswithfood.
• Ketchumwillplayastrongroleinpurchasingfood,andinensuringtheseeffortsarevisible,wellcoordinated,respectedbypoliticalleaders,andfinanciallysupported.
• Overtime,theinitiativewillalsoextendtothewholeofBlaineCounty.When:
• Thefoundationforthisworkshouldbelaidimmediately.• Thisislong-termworkandshouldbepursuedinacarefulandinclusivemanner.
Purposes:
• ToreframetheCommunityFoodsdiscussionsoitembracesallWoodRiverValleyRegionresidents,notsimplythosewhoarewelloff.
• Toengageresidentsatallincomelevels,andofallethnicities,increatingsolutionstohunger,affordabilityoffood,andfood-relatedillness.
• Tocreatea“bigpicture”visionthatwillanimatemoresuccessfulactivityandgreaterinclusivity,aswellascreatingapublicimagethatcaptureswiderattention.
SuccessMeasures:
• PercentofmembersofCommunityFoodsleadershipgroupwhoareworkingfarmers.• PercentofmembersofTheHungerCoalitionadvisorycouncilwhoarefoodrecipients.• PercentofBlaineCountypopulationwhoreceivefoodaidthroughSNAP,WIC,and
HungerCoalitionprograms.• DollarvalueofSNAPbenefitscomparedtonetcashfarmincome,1969tothepresent
(BureauofEconomicAnalysisregionaleconomicaccountsdata).• Percentoffoodrecipientswhoreport(inanannualsurvey)thattheycaneasilyaccessa
communitygatheringspacewheretheyfeelasenseofbelonging.• Percentoffoodrecipientswhoreportthattheyhaveformedapersonalconnectionwith
atleastonefarmerwhosuppliesfoodtoValleyhouseholds.• Percentoffoodrecipientswhoreportthattheyhaveattendedsomecommunity
buildingprogram(communitykitchenevents,communitymeals,nutrition/cookingtrainingclasses,etc.)
• Percentoffoodrecipientswhoreporttheypurchase$5offoodfromWoodRiverValleyRegionfarmseachweek,andtheamountsoffoodpurchased.
• PercentoffoodrecipientswhoreporttheyaresatisfiedwiththeirinteractionswiththeCommunityFoodsCollaboration.
• NumberofresidentswhoinvestinordonatetowardhungerrelieforthisCommunityFoodsCollaboration.
BackgroundandRationale:InadditiontopointingoutthatWoodRiverValleyRegioncommunityfoodsworkneedstoaccomplishclearresults,ourinterviewshighlightedthatonlyonesmallsegmentoftheWoodRiverValleyRegionpopulationhasbeenwellserved.Thosewhoarebestservedtodayarethosewholeastneedassistance:thosewhoarewelloff.WhileTheHungerCoalitionhasmadestrong
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connectionswithlow-incomeresidents,theyrecognizethereisstillmuchworktodo,andtheirconstituentshavefarlessaccessthanresidentswithmeans.Itisimportanttoreframethisactivitysothatthecommunityfoodsystemofthefutureisbuiltaroundthoseofmoremodestmeans.Ifthefoodsystemworksforthispopulation,itwillworkforwealthierresidentsaswell.Buttheoppositeisnottrue.ThiscanbestbeaccomplishedbycreatingabrandfortheWoodRiverValleyRegionthatexpressesthissenseofinclusivityandresilience.Whilebrandingexperts(andlocalresidents)shouldbebroughtintothedefinitionofthisbrandingcampaignsoitisasrootedincommunityandaseffectiveaspossible,itshouldconveythespiritofthetagline,“WoodRiverValley:WhereEveryoneEatsWell.”Takingthisstepiscriticaltomaintainingthelegitimacyandintegrityofcommunityfoodsactivity,butitalsoiscrucialforinclusivity.Currently,TheHungerCoalition(THC)serves19%oftheBlaineCountypopulation.Theycountamongtheirconstituentsthosewhoworkinthehospitalityindustry,aswellaspublicservantslikepolicemenandfiremen.YetTHCstaffreportthatrecipientsoftenfeelconsiderableshamewhentheycometopickupfooditems.Manydonothavetime,theskills,ortheutensils,topreparehealthyfoodathome.Inresponsetothis,THCisrampingupeffortstogrowmorefoodatitscommunityfarm,andtopurchasefoodfromlocalfarms.Theyalsoseektocreateacommunitygatheringpointwhereallresidentswillfeelcomfortable,andwhereresidentscanworktogethertocreatehealthymealsandeducatethemselvesaboutbetternutrition,andaboutlocalfarmsandfoodbusinesses.Thisexpandedfacilityislikelytoincludeadditionalwarehouse,cooler,andfreezerspace:preciselythekindsofspacethatMagicValleyandFairfieldfarmersrequiretostoretheirproductsintheHailey/Bellevuearea.Thephysicalopportunity,then,istocreateamulti-purpose,multi-stakeholdercommunitygatheringpoint.Theexactnatureofthisfacilitymustbedecidedbytheleadershipgroupinconcertwithlocalconstituentsandmustinvolvecarefulbusinessplanning.ThismightbelabeledasaFoodCenter,orconsideredaValleyResilienceCenter,orbemodeledafteraFolkSchool.11Severalofourintervieweessuggestedthatthisfacilitymightcombineseveralcomplementaryelements,dependingonfinancialfeasibility:
• Warehousespaceforstoringdryfoods• Coolerspaceforstoringperishablefoods• Freezerspace• Stagingareasandloadingdocks• Refrigeratedtrucksfortransportingfoodsafely• Communitykitchen/Trainingkitchen/Productionkitchen• Retailgrocerystore• Restaurant• Classrooms
11Asoneexample,seetheNorthHouseFolkSchoolinGrandMarais,Minnesota(www.northhouse.org).LiketheSunValleyregion,thisregionisbothatouristdrawandaplacewhereasignificantnumberofresidentsexperiencepoverty.
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• Communitygatheringspacethatwelcomesallresidents• Officesforfoodbusinessesandnonprofitsservinglow-income
Seealsopage36,EvaluatingtoPurposeandEvaluatingtoPragmatics.Developingsuchafacilitywillinvolveconsiderableexpense.Theactivitiesthattakeplaceinsidewillrequiresubsidy,justasfoodreliefeffortshaverequiredsubsidyinthepast.Yetinacommunitythatboastsabrand-newdogshelterandanewartsandperformancespace,amodelhasalreadybeenwellestablished:theregionwillinvestinbuildingsthatwillbothearnoperatingincomeandrequiresubsidy,toserveassymbolsoftheregion’shighqualityoflife.Certainly,asafarmcommunity,theWoodRiverValleyRegionshoulddonolessforitsfoodsystem.Yetaphysicalfacilitywilldonomorethanprovidealocationforactivity;specificactivitiesthemselvesmustalsobeundertaken,andresidentengagementmustbebuilt.ManyeffectiveprogramsarealreadybeingimplementedbylocalgroupssuchasTheHungerCoalition,localfarmers’markets,chefs,andbyfarmersthemselves.Bringingsomeoftheseintoacommonspaceshouldaddtotheirabilitytocoordinateefforts,andmayreducecosts.Toincreaseparticipation,wealsorecommendthattheWoodRiverValleyRegionmountan“Eat5,Buy5”campaignthatchallengesresidentstoeatbetterwhilestrengtheningthelocaleconomy.Thismessagingaskseachresidenttoeat5fruitsandvegetableseachdayforhealth,andtopurchase$5offoodeachweekfromafarmintheWoodRiverValleyRegion.Theimpactofsuchacampaigncouldbesignificant.IfeachBlaineCountyresidentdidpurchase$5offoodeachweekfromaWRVRfarmer,thesefarmerswouldearn$5.7millionperyear.SimilarcampaignshavebeenlaunchedbyruralcountiesinSouthwestColorado,andbecamethecentralthemeofaStateofAlaskapromotion.Itcouldalsobeusedbylocalgroupstomobilizetheirownconstituencies:somethingalongthelinesof“Let’sturnoutourneighborhood/church/organizationtoEat5,Buy5.”Activities:CriticaltodevelopingsuchaphysicalspacewillbeengagingthosewhomtheCenterhopestoserve.Thismeanscreatinganinclusivedialogueamongdiverseresidents,focusedatfirstonHaileyandBellevue,connectingthemwithfarmers,creatingavisionthatmostresidentscansupportandinvestin,animatingbroadpublicsupport(includingindividualandhouseholddonationssoresidentsfeelinvestedintheCenter),andoutreachcampaignsthatpublicizethebrandingoftheregionasaplacewhereallresidentseatwell.Toaccomplishthis,werecommendhostingeventsatTheHungerCoalition,BlaineCountyschools,theCommunityCenter,churches,andothergatheringpointswhereresidentsfeelsomesenseofbelonging.Schools,inparticular,areoftenplaceswherelow-incomeresidentsfeelsomesenseofownershipbecausetheirchildrenhaveattendedschools,andthefamiliespaytaxestosupportthem.
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Moreover,theBlaineCountyschooldistrictfoodservicedirectorofferedtohostsuchevents,andofferedfreeuseoftheirkitchensandcafeterias(thoughtheremaywellbejanitorialorotherfees).Onemodelforsucheventswouldbethis:
• HostmeetingsatseveraldifferentschoolstoengageresidentsinallpartsoftheCounty.• AsktheBlaineCountySchoolDistrictfoodservicedirectortoco-host.• Invite2-3chefsfromthecommunitytoprepareeachofthemeals,withthefoodservice
directorassisting,andlearningmoreaboutsourcingfoodfromlocalfarmsintheprocess.
• PurchasefoodfromfarmssupplyingtheWoodRiverValleyRegiontoserveatthemeal.• Invitethefarmerswhosuppliedthisfoodtoparticipatebyshowcasingtheirfarm,their
farmingpractices.Fromthis,eachparticipatingfarmmaybuildstrongerconnectionswithlocalfamilies.
• Highlightseasonalcropsastheyareharvestedinthetwovalleys.• Inviteselectedcommunitymemberstojoininthefoodpreparationandserving.12• Raisemoneytosubsidizeticketpricessoaworkingfamilycanaffordtocometothe
meal–perhapspricedat$5aperson/$15forafamily.• Duringeachgathering,solicitinputfromthosewhoattendregardingwhattheywould
mostvalueinafoodcenter,andhowtheywoulduseit.• Attheendoftheevent,TheHungerCoalitioncoulddonatefoodboxestoeachperson
whoattended,containingfoodfromthesamefarms,withrecipesforpreparation,andinformationabouthowtobecomeinvolvedinshapingandusingthefoodfacility.
• Duringtheweekofeachevent,teachersateachschoolcouldfeaturethesesamefoodsincurricularactivities,Atkinsons’Marketcouldinvitefarmerstoofferfoodsamples,andlocalmediawouldrunstories,sothateventhoseresidentswhocouldnotattendareabletoparticipateintheprocess.
• Thiseventcouldbecombinedwiththe“Eat5,Buy5”campaign.• Evaluatesuccessbyhandingoutasimple3-questionsurveytoparticipants,askingif
theymetsomeonetheydidnotknowbefore,andiftheyintendtomakecontactwithanyonewhoattendedinthenearfuture.Alsosolicitresidentperceptionsofthemealandthemeeting.
• Inthelongterm,itishopedthateventssuchasthesewouldhelpleadtothecreationofcommunitygatheringspaceswhereallfeelwelcome,andwherepeopleworktogethertohelpbuildamoreinclusivecommunityfoodsystem.
Otherpossiblevenuesforsucheventswouldbe:
• TheHungerCoalitionBloomCommunityFarm• SunValleyResortsEmployeeCafeteria(reopeningin2019afterremodeling)• Churches• Otherbusinesses,farms,andrestaurantsthatwishtoparticipate
12InoneVermontcommunitywherewehaveworked,acommunitymealprograminvitescivicleaderstoformtheirownkitchencrewtoworkwithacertifiedcheftopreparethemeal.Forexample,thefirechiefassemblesagroupoffriendswhocooktogether.
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BryanHostetler&LindsayMollineauxatKraay’sMarket&Garden(Bellevue)Photo:KenMeter,2018
3.WRVRWholesaleProducePartnership(WPP)
Whatitis:Aninitiativetobuildupon,andincreasetheimpactof,thecollaborationsalreadyundertakenbyMagicValleyfarmerstoconveytheirproductstowholesalemarketsintheWoodRiverValleyRegion.WhoisInvolved:FourtofivefarmsintheMagicValleyregionthatsellwholesaletoWoodRiverValleymarkets,withAmyMattiasofLocalFoodAlliance,Atkinsons’Market,TheHungerCoalition,andotherpartners.StacyWhitmanandAiméeChristensenofSVIwouldsupport.Wherethiswillhappen:MagicValleyregionfarms;WoodRiverValleyRegionwholesalebuyers;andWoodRiverValleyRegionresidents.When:Beginimmediatelytoensureforwardprogressforthe2019growingseason.Purposes:
• Toexpanddistributioncapacitybybuildingonexistingcollaborations.• Toincreasecoordinationofthesedeliveryefforts.• Toincreasesalesandpurchasesofwholesaleproduceitems.
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• Tobuildnetworksofmutualloyaltyengagingfarmers,wholesalebuyers,andhouseholdconsumers.
• Tobuildaresilientfoundationthatwillensureefficientwholesalefoodtradeforgenerationstocome,includingexpandedbusinessopportunities.
SuccessMeasures:
• SalesbypartnerfarmstoWoodRiverValleyRegionhouseholdandwholesalecustomers(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)
• PurchasesbypartnerbuyersfromMagicValleyandWoodRiverValleyRegionfarms(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)
• Freshfoodsconveyedbysale,barter,ordonationtoWoodRiverValleyRegionresidentslivingatorbelow185%oftheFederalPovertyLimit(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)
• Acresofsustainablyraisedproduceharvestedforthiscollaboration.• Socialandcommercialconnectionsbuiltthatengagefarmers,householdconsumers,
andwholesalebuyers.• Farmerandbuyerperceptionsofefficiencyoflogisticsoperations.
BackgroundandRationale:SeveralinitiativeshavebeenmountedinrecentyearstodevelopareliabledistributionnetworkthatwouldlinkWoodRiverValleyRegionwholesalerstoMagicValleyfarmers.Initialeffortswerefoundedonvolunteerenergy,andthisledparticipantstooptforamorecommercialapproachthatcouldpaysalaries.Yetthevehiclethatwaschosen,Idaho’sBounty,eventuallycollapsedfrommismanagement,breakdownsincommunication,andalackofintegrityfromstaff.Asaresult,participatingfarmerslostasmuchas$500,000,boththroughtheirinvestmentsinthebusinessandinproductsdeliveredtoIdaho’sBountythatwerenotpaidfor(Source:farmerinterviews).SincethecollapseofIdaho’sBounty,farmershavecarriedoutinformalcollaborationstodeliverproductstoWoodRiverValleymarkets.Onefarmthathascoldstoragecapacityinvitesapartnerfarmtostoreproductstherepriortodelivery.Farmerswithextratruckspaceoffertodeliverforanearbyfarmpartner.Onefarmhasaregularroute,bringingproductsfromitspartnerfarmtoKetchumandHailey.Thesecollaborationsworkbecausetheyarebuiltonsolidtrustfarmershavebuiltwitheachother,andbecausetheydonotrequiresignificantinvestmentinstaffingornewequipment.Thismakesthemsomewhatresilient,butalsovulnerable–atruckmaybreakdown,orafarmermaynotbeavailabletomakeadeliveryonagivenweek.Inaddition,buyersseekmorefrequentdeliveries.Farmerinterviewsrevealedthatlackofdistributionistheirnumberoneconcern.Theyalsosaidthisinvolvesnotjustthelogisticsofdeliveringfood,butalsosolidcommunicationsandcoordination.WhileIdaho’sBountymaintainedacommonwebplatformthatfacilitatedordering,therewasnoonewhomadesurethatfarmerskeptpostingsuptodate,anddeliverieswerenotalwaysmadeinatimelyfashionbythefirm.Oftenthereissimplyaneedforacoordinatortokeeptalkingtoallpartners,becausetheproduceindustrygenerallyrunsonoralcommitments,and
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peoplemustrespondtorapidlychangingconditions.Directdiscussionwouldalsohelpanticipatefuturedevelopments,andmakeplansthatadaptovertime.AnotherissueraisedwasthatIdaho’sBountybecameviewedassomethingseparatefromfarmers.Manyfarmers–eventhoughtheymayhaveservedontheboardorwereactiveinthecollaboration–consideredIdaho’sBountyanoutsideentity–a“they”–ratherthanfarmercollaboration–a“we.”Retainingsolidfarmerpoweroverthecollaborationiscritical.OneobserverwhowroteacasestudyofIdaho’sBountyin2015,AdamDiamond,wasenthusiasticaboutthefirmbutalsonotedthatithadattemptedtoreachtoomanymarketsatonce.IntryingtogainsalesinBoise,WoodRiverValley,andSaltLakeCityallatthesametime,salesstaffappeartohavespreadtheinitiativetoothin.Thisappearstobebackedupbyfarmers’experience.Iwastoldthatoften,moreeffortwentintotrackingdownnewaccountsthantofulfillingexistingordersreliably.Largerbuyerswereidentifiedattimeswhenfarmerscouldnotsupplythequantitydesired.Farmersdeliveredproductthatwasneverpaidfor.Staffspentfundsthatwerenotbeingearned.Mysenseofallthisisthatthenextphaseofthisworkshouldbuilduponthedistributiontechniquesthatfarmersalreadyuse,andthenmakethemstrongerbyincreasingcommunicationsandlogisticalcoordination.ThisworkshouldbefocusedsolelyonwholesaletradetoWoodRiverValleyRegionmarkets.Thisisnot,however,tosuggestthatthosefarmerswhofocusondirectmarketingbeexcluded.TheCommunityFoodsnetworkintheWoodRiverValleyRegionmustalsohelpcoordinatethedirecttradeifeffectivestrategiescanbedevised,throughthisorseparateinitiatives.Certainly,thosefarmerswhofocusondirectsalesmayharvestsurplusproductsthatcanbemovedthroughwholesaletrade.YetthepriorityoftheWPPinitiativeistomakesurethatthewholesaletradetoWoodRiverValleyRegionconsumerscanbesustainedonaconsistentbasis.Importantly,salestomoredistantorlargerwholesalebuyersareveryproblematictosustainovertime,unlessclearmutualloyaltyisbuiltwiththosebuyers.Thisisverychallengingtobuildwithdistantlyownedfirmsthatarefocusedsolelyonthebottomline.Whilethisisacollaborationamongfarmers,itiscriticalthattheidentityofeachfarmsupplyingproducebemadeknowntobothwholesalebuyersandhouseholdconsumers.ThisisrequiredbothforthevisibilityandloyaltythatfarmersneedinordertohaveWoodRiverValleyRegioncustomerscontinuetosupportthemovertime,andalsosofarmersobtainmaximumvaluefortheirproducts.Coordinationisnotafull-timejobatthispoint,norcanthecostsofstaffingthisrolebecoveredsolelybysellingproduce.Yetwithoutbettercoordinationoflogistics,farmerscannotsellmore.Withoutstrongercommitmentfrombuyers,farmersoftenfinditeasiertoselltomarketsinBoiseorevenCalifornia.ThismeansthattheWoodRiverValleyRegionmustinvestineffectivecollaborationtoensurethatitcanreliablyreceivefoodsfromMagicValleyfarmsovertime,budgetingforstaffingcostsassalesrise.
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Increasingfoodsalesisalsolikelytodependuponinvestmentsinsupportiveinfrastructure,suchascoldstorageoneachfarm,andatawarehouseintheHailey/Bellevueregion.Additionaltrucksarelikelytoberequiredtocomplementthosealreadyownedbyparticipatingfarmers.Takinganysuchstepsrequiressolidbusinessplanning.Activities:1.Establishbasicunderstandingsgoverningthecollaboration.
• MikeHeathandAmyMattiaswilltakethelead.StacyWhitmanwillsupportasneeded.• MikeandAmywillconveneotherMagicValleygrowersearlyin2019toestablish
workingunderstandingsforthe2019season.o JohnandBeckyKlimes,AgrarianHarvesto Cooper&FredBrossy,Ernie’sOrganicso NateJones,King’sCrownOrganicso Othersthatmaybedesired
• ItissuggestedthatAiméeChristensonoftheSunValleyInstitute/LocalFoodAllianceattendaconveningofthegrowersearlyintheprocess.
• Earlyintheprocess,AmyMattiasshouldmeetindividuallywithWoodRiverValleyRegionpartnerstoascertaintheirlevelofinterestinservingaspartners:
o LarryandSherryKraay,Kraay’sMarket&Gardeno TheHungerCoalition’o WhitandPeterAtkinson,Atkinsons’Marketso GinoPetosaorothersatCharlie’sProduceo SunValleyResortfoodserviceso Othersthatmaybedesired
Suggestedstartingpoint:
• ThiscollaborationisintendedtosupportwholesaletradefromMagicValleyfarmstoWoodRiverValleyRegionmarkets.
• Thiscollaborationinitiallywillfocusuponasmallnumberoffarmsthatcurrentlyengageinthistrade.
• Farmerswillplaythestrongestroleincoordinatingthiscollaboration.• Thiscollaborationisintendedtostrengthenexistingpartnershipsamongthegrowers
andbuyers,buildingafoundationforfurtherexpansionasconditionsallow.• Whileparticipatingfarmsarefreetoselltoothermarketregions(e.g.BoiseorSaltLake
City)andmayindependentlyselldirectlytoWoodRiverValleycustomers,resourcesdedicatedtothiscollaborativewillfocusonwholesaletradetoWoodRiverValleyRegionbuyers.
• Oncethishasbeenestablishedasasolidoperation,otherfarmersintheareamayparticipateinthiswholesaletradebyinvitationfromfoundingpartners.
• Foundingpartnerswilladoptclearcriteriaforjoiningasanewmemberofthiscollaborationbeforeinvitingnewmembers.
• MemberswilladoptaformalstatementcoveringwhattheWPPiscommittedto:o Transparencyamongallpartnersandthegeneralpublico Fairnessamongallpartners,especiallywithregardtopricing
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o Workinginpartnershiptobuildstrongmutualtrustandaccountabilityo One-person,one-vote(powerisnotbasedonhowmuchissold/purchased)o Collaboratewithothercommunitypartnersbasedonmutualinterestsin
strengtheningcommunity-basedfoodtradeo Pursueregenerativefarmingpracticeso Continuetobuildsoilhealthandorganicmattercontento Householdconsumersshouldknowthenameofeachfarmsupplyingspecific
productstothemthroughwholesalerso Otheragreementsthepartnerswishtomake
2.CompileInformation
• MikeHeathandAmyMattiaswillcompilebusinessrecordsfromIdaho’sBounty(contactlists,internetorderingplatform,experiencewithbuyers,etc.)anddrawfromthesetoestablishdatasetsfortheWPP.
• MikeHeathandAmyMattiaswillcompileaspreadsheetlistingwhichproductstheparticipatingfarmersgrow;howmanyacreseachiswillingtosetasidetoharvestforWoodRiverValleyRegionbuyers;anticipated2019deliveries;howtheseproductsarecurrentlydeliveredtobuyers;preferreddatesofdelivery;preferredprices;etc.
• Thiscollaborationislikelytofocusonasmallnumberofproducts(<10)atfirst(potatoes,onions,squash,etc.)
• Theseproductsarealreadygrownforwholesalebyparticipatingfarmers;itisunlikelythatnewproductswouldbeaddedtothelistin2019,butmaybeinlateryears.
• Eachfarmwouldsellitsownproductsunderitsownfarmname;thecollaborativewouldnottakeownershipoftheproduct.Acommonbrandmightbeexploredoncethecollaborativehasestablishedafirmfooting,butthisbrandingshouldincludethenamesofeachfarmoneachproduct.
• AmyMattiasandStacyWhitmanshouldtakethislisttowholesalebuyers(orameetingshouldbeheldwithfarmersandbuyerstogether)tolearnwhatcommitmentsbuyersarewillingtomaketopurchasetheseitems,bothintermsofquantityandprice.Theyshouldthenpopulatetheirspreadsheetwiththeseitems,includingpreferreddeliverydates,storageavailable,minimumandmaximumprices,additionalquantitiesthatmaybesought,forward-contractingoptions,etc.)
• AmyMattiasmaywishtoproduceamapshowingthefarmersinvolvedanddistributionnetworksthatalreadybringproduceintotheWoodRiverValleyRegionmarkets.Thiswouldbeusefulinshowingstrengthsandgapsinlogisticsandmarketchannels.
• AmyMattiasandStacyWhitmanshoulddeveloparecord-keepingsystem,perhapsonapassword-protectedwebsite,thatallowstheWPPcollaborativetotrackwhathasbeencommitted,ordered,sold,anddelivered.ThismayinvolveupdatingtheorderingplatformusedbyIdaho’sBounty,oritmaybeadifferentinformationsystem.
• AmyMattiasshouldworkwitheachfarmertoaccountforalldeliverycostsassociatedwitheachvehicle,accountingforvehicleoperationcosts,fuelrequired,maintenance,drivertime,lengthofjourney,etc.Thisshouldbedistilleddowntoacostpermile(andcostperpound)foreachvehicle.Thisinformationwillallowthecollaborativetobetterunderstandwhichvehiclesshouldcarrywhichproducts,andwillalsohelptounderstandwhetheradditionalcapacityisrequired.
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3.CreateaBusinessPlan
• AmyMattiasandMikeHeathshoulddrawupontheabovematerialtocreateasimplebusinessplan(StacyWhitmanwillsupportthiswork)thatwillinclude:
o Minimumandmaximumpricesforeachproducttobesoldo Anticipatedquantitiestobesoldtoeachbuyero Tentativescheduleofdeliverydatesbasedonanticipatedharvestandavailable
storageo Projectedincomefromthesesalesfor2019o Projectedexpensesforachievingthesesalesfor2019
• Allgrowersshouldreview,revise,andapprovethisbusinessplan.
4.ImplementthePlan
• AmyMattiasshouldcalleachgrower(orviceversa)atleastonceeachweekduringthegrowingseasontocheckinaboutgrowingconditions,anysurprisesthatmayaffectdeliverydates,howgrowersfeelabouthowwellthepartnershipisworking,etc.
• Eachgrowerwillberesponsibleforputtingeachdeliverytogetherandconveyingittotheappropriatedeliverypoint;Amywillkeepconversingtoeachgrowerandbuyertomakesureallflowssmoothly,andthatnewsofanyinterruptionscanbeconveyedtoeachbuyerasearlyaspossible.
• AmyMattiasandStacyWhitmanwillcompileevaluationdata(asshownabove;tobemodifiedbygrowers)thatwillhelpfarmersassesstheprogressofthecollaborationovertime.Thesedatawillbesharedwithallgrowers.
5.Anticipatefutureneeds
• Growerssaythatonestronglimitingfactoristheavailabilityofpersonneltodriveatruck,handlefoodsafely,andmakeconsistentdeliveries.Findingortrainingareliablepart-timedriverwillbeapriority.
• AmyMattiasandMikeHeathshouldmeetperiodicallythroughthegrowingseasontoevaluatehowthedistributionsystemisworking,anticipatechangingconditions,consideradditionsininfrastructure,etc.
• Allgrowersshouldmeettogetheratleastonceeachyeartoassesshowwellthesystemisworking,discusschangeswithbuyers,considerfutureneeds,etc.
• Inthelongterm,itwouldbedesirabletohavedryandcoldstorageoneachfarm,aswellasalargerdrystoragewarehouseandcoldstorageintheHailey/Bellevuearea.Thiswouldprovidegreaterresiliencyinshippingandreceiving.JamonFrostensonofLoganicsinFairfieldofferedtobuildsuchstoragefacilitiesusinghisinsulatedpanelconstruction,andofcourseotherlocalcraftsmenmightbeengaged.
• Inthelongterm,itisassumedthatadditionalrefrigeratedtrucksofvarioussizesmaybeneeded.
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• Thecollaborationshouldexploreraisingfundstoallowforwardcontractingforspecificfooditemsthatmaybedesiredbybuyers,ortopursueotherwaysofreducingandsharingrisk.
• Eachyearduringwintermeetings,changestothepartnershipmaybeaddressedasneeded.TheBusinessPlanwillthenbeformallyrevisedtoaccountfornewapproachestaken.
• Anynewinfrastructurepurchasesshouldbetakenincoordinationwithothercommunitypartners(i.e.,couldalargerwarehousebesharedwithKraay’sMarket&Garden,TheHungerCoalition,orAtkinsons,etc.)
KatieZubia,WoodRiverFarmers’Marketboardpresident(Bellevue)Photo:KenMeter,2018
4.SolidifythestatusofWoodRiverFarmers’MarketsBackgroundandRationale:ThefutureoftheWoodRiverFarmers’MarketinKetchumbecamesomewhatprecariousin2018afterseveralbusinessescomplainedtoCityofficialsthatmarketshoppersatitsTownSquarelocationwerecreatingdifficultiesbycompetingwithothershoppersforparkingspacesandplacingbigdemandsonrestroomfacilities.Onefirmevenclosedforbusinessonmarketdays,sayingitwastoodifficulttoconductbusiness.Asaresult,theMayorhassuggestedmovingthemarketinKetchumtoadifferentlocationneartheForestServicePark.Thesemovesbroughtconsiderableconsternationtofarmersandfoodleadersalike.TheproposednewmarketlocationisnotascentrallylocatedasTownSquarenorasvisible,sofarmersfeelthiswillharmtheirsales.Farmersalsowarnedthatmovingthemarketawayfromdowntownwouldharmdowntownbusinessesevenmore,becausemanymarketshoppersalsopatronizedowntownstores.Oneremindedthat,afterall,thefarmers’marketwasoriginally
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invitedtooccupyTownSquarepreciselytocreatefoottrafficonacommercialdaythatwasoftenrelativelyslow—andisnotviewedasanidealmarketdaybyfarmers.Moreover,theCity’sprocessformakingdecisionsaboutthemarketiscausingdeepconcern.FoodleaderssaidthattheannouncementoftheproposedmovewasmadeataCityCouncilmeetingwithnoadvancenotice,soMarketleaderswerenotabletoattend.ManysaidtheywerenotclearwhattheCouncil’sdiscussionentailed,orifformalactionwastaken.TheMayortoldfarmersthathewouldtakechargeofthedecision,buthisauthoritytodosowasnotcleartosomefoodleaders.SeveralofthefarmerswhotriedtocontacttheMayorfelthewasnotresponsivetotheirconcerns.Itisbeyondthescopeofthisstudytofullyunderstandthestepstakeninthisdecisionprocess,butthisdiscussiondoesindicatethatthefarmers’marketrequiresmuchstrongerpoliticalsupportinKetchum.Therearealsoconcernsaboutstrengtheningthefarmers’marketinHailey.Certainlyavibrantfarmers’marketinHaileycouldbeanimportantattractorinbrandingtheregionasaplacewhereallresidentseatwell.Ontheotherhand,somehavesuggestedthattheKetchumandHaileyfarmers’marketsshouldbeconsolidated,andmovedtoalocationsomewherebetweenthetwocities,sothatfarmersandconsumerscouldcongregateinasinglelocationononedayoftheweek.AllthissuggeststhatSunValleyInstitute’sLocalFoodAllianceanditspartnershaveanimportantroletoplayinmakingsurethatcivicleadersunderstandandactupontheimportancethatfarmersandthefoodstheygrowhavetotheKetchumcommunity.Itwillbeimportanttobuildalong-termvisionfortheFarmers’MarkettoserveasacriticalpartoftheKetchumeconomy,aswellastotheHailey/Bellevuearea.SunValleyInstitutehasexpressedinterestinworkingwithcommunitypartnerstomountsuchaneffort,describedbelow.Whatitis:StrengthenthestatusoftheWoodRiverValleyFarmers’MarketinbothKetchumandHailey.Whoisinvolved:
• WoodRiverFarmers’Marketboardofdirectors• FarmerswhosellateithertheKetchumorHaileymarkets• Consumerswhovaluepurchasingfooddirectlyfromfarmers• Chefswhopurchaseatthefarmers’market• SunValleyInstitute/LocalFoodAlliance• BlaineCountyFoodCouncil• Otherkeypartnersasidentified
Wherewillthishappen:Ketchum.OvertimethediscussionshouldalsoencompassplanningforstrengtheningtheHaileyFarmers’Marketaswell.
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When:Immediately.Purposes:
• BuildpoliticalsupportforWoodRiverFarmers’MarketsinbothKetchumandHailey• Ensuretheseareviewedasimportanteconomicenginesandcommunitygathering
pointsintheValley.SuccessMeasures:
• ValueoffoodsoldatWoodRiverFarmers’Marketeachyear• Surveyresponsesfromfarmersindicatingtheyaresatisfiedwithmarketlocation,rental
rates,customerbase,outreach,etc.Activities:
• CommunitypartnersmeetwiththeboardofdirectorsoftheWoodRiverFarmers’MarketandstrategizehowbesttosupporttheBoardasitnegotiatestermswiththeCityofKetchumforthe2019marketseason.
• SympatheticmembersoftheKetchumCityCouncilshouldbeenlistedtorepresenttheinterestoffarmers.
• Farmersmaywellrequirelegalsupporttoensurethatdueprocessisfollowed.• SVI/LFAcouldplayarole,ifrequested,ofgatheringpublicsupportintheKetchum
communityformakingsurefarmers’needsaremet.• Outreachcampaignsmightinvolveflyers,posters,socialmediaannouncements,special
events,etc.• AsthestatusoftheMarketfor2019isstabilized,WoodRiverFarmers’Marketandits
partnersshouldopenadiscussionaboutthelong-termfutureoftheMarket.o IstheMarketinitsbestpossiblelocation?o Cantrafficandparkingconcernsbeameliorated?o IsTuesdaytheoptimaldayfortheMarkettobeheld(itisbuiltintomany
schedules,butalsodifficultforsomefarmerstoattend)?o Ifnot,setabetterday(BoisemarketisSaturdaywhichmakesitdifficultfor
farmerstocometoKetchum).o WhatrolecouldtheHaileymarketplayinthenewbrandingoftheWoodRiver
ValleyRegionasaplacewhereeveryoneeatswell?o Whatcriticalrolescanfarmers’marketsplayinensuringopenaccesstolower-
costfreshfoodstoallHaileyandBellevueresidents?o WoulditbeadvisabletomergetheHaileymarketwiththeKetchummarket?o Howmightthefarmers’marketsbecombinedwithcoldstorageorvegetable
processinginitiativesalsobeingcontemplated?
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NateJones,King’sCrownOrganics(KingHill) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
Additionalinitiativescurrentlyunderway:
Evaluatethesepromisinginitiatives(andothersthatarestilltocomeforward)basedontheirefficacyinstrengtheningCommunityFoodTrade:EvaluatingthePurposes
• Haveresidentsexpressedaclearinterestin,andneedfor,theinitiative?• Isthisinitiativelikelytoprovidefoodforanyresidentatanyincomelevel?• Willthisworkbringpeopletogetheracrosssocialdivides?• Howwillthishelpbuildbusinessclusters,collaborations,andnetworks?• Howwillitbuildmutualloyaltyamongfarmersandconsumers?
EvaluatingthePragmatics
• Hasaqualifiedanddedicatedleadercommittedtorunningthisinitiative?• Issufficientcapitalavailabletolaunchorexpandthisoperation?• Howwidespreadisresidentinvestmentintheeffort?• Isthereaclear,practicalstrategic/businessplaninplace?• Whataretheprojectedoperatingcosts?• Wherewillrawmaterialscomefrom,andwhatpercentagewillbegrowninsidethe
community?• Willthepropermixofearnedincome(throughsales)andphilanthropicsupport(ifany)
beavailabletocovertheseoperatingcosts?
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Thefollowingarenotlistedinanyspecificorderofpriority.1.InitiativesthatprovidestrongopportunitiesforcollaborationTheHungerCoalitionExpansion
• THChasexpandeditsboardandseekstomakeitevenmorediverse,withstrongerrepresentationofthecustomersitserves
• Thisfoodrelieforganizationhaswellestablishedconnectionstolower-incomeresidentsandtodonors
• Notingthatmanyconstituentsfeelashamedofneededfoodaid,THCaimstocreateawelcomingandinclusivecommunitygatheringspace
• Limitedinitswarehouseandstoragecapacity,THCwishestoexpandintolargerfacility(warehouse,classrooms,communitykitchen,gatheringspace)
• StaffexpressedstrongwillingnesstoexpandincollaborationwithcommunitypartnersGrainCollaborative
• Asnotedabove,BrettStevensonislaunchingHillsideRanchFlour&Grainin2019• Inthefuture,thismayincludeamalthouse• Millingholdsstrongpotentialforcreatingcollaborationsamongfarmers,bakers,
restaurants,andstores(forexample,artisanalbreadusinggrainfromasinglenamedfarmthatisservedbylocalchefsandavailableatstores)
• StevensonenvisionsthiseffortlaunchingaGrainLabintheValley,modeledafterTheBreadLabatWashingtonState,thatwouldbeaplacewhereresearch,development,andeducationcanoccur
ProteinCollaborative
• MattLuck,ownerofPrideofBristolBay,hasdevelopedaconceptforjointdirectmarketingoflocallyraisedproteinsandseafood
• Currently,salmon,beef,pork,andlambaredirectmarketedtoconsumers,butbyeachentityorfarmseparately
• Luckenvisionsthecreationofacommoninternetorderingplatform• Householdcustomerswouldplaceordersatthissite,selectingproteinproductsfrom
anyparticipatingproducertheyselect• Eachoftheseproducerswoulddelivertheseorderstoasinglelocationonasingleday
(LucksuggestedperhapsOctober1eachyear)• Customerswouldcometothislocationonthatdaytopickuporderstotakehome• Luckwouldpreferthatsomeoneyoungerlaunchandrunthisoperation
Increasemilkdistribution
• PhilChristensenofOldAlmoCreameryproducesorganicmilkandbottlesitonthefarm• HesaysOldAlmo’sretailpricesarelowerthanprevailingretailpricesfororganicmilk• Growthofthefarmoperationislimitedbydistributioncapacity• Christensenoftendeliversmilkhimself• HehasjoinedwithvegetablegrowersintheMagicValleytoshipmilkcollaboratively• Christensenwouldprefertohireadeliveryservice
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Blaine1%Fund:
• FinancialplannerandinvestorMarkGeorgeislaunchingalocalinvestmentfundinKetchum
• Georgeiscurrentlyassemblingagroupofinitialinvestorswhowouldinvestabout$5,000each
• Focusofthefundwillbeonfood,homelessness,andrenewableenergy• Georgewantstostartsmallbutseesgreatpotential
SunValleyResortemployeecafeteria
• Theemployeecafeteriaisbeingremodeledandwillre-openearlyin2019• ThisfacilityispartofSunValleyResorts(SVR)brandingitselfasasustainablecenter• SVRserves400mealsperdayhereandchargesemployeesonlythecostofthefood
served• MattRobinsonoftheKonditereiexpressedawillingnesstoexplorewiththecafeteria
foodservicedirectorwhetherthisfacilitycouldfeaturefoodfromlocalfarmsonitsnewmenu.
• TheHungerCoalitionexpressedinterestindoingoutreachhere,sincemanyemployeesarealsocustomersofTHC.
• AstheWholesaleProducePartnershipbuildsitsbusiness,itshouldbeabletosupplySVR,shouldSVRwishtopurchasethroughWPP.
• SVRalsoreliesuponaSaltLakeCitydistributionserviceExtenddirectmarketing
• FarmersinWRV,Hagerman,Buhl,Fairfield,Emmett,etc.areeffectivelysellingdirectlytohouseholdcustomers,butalsofindthisconsumesconsiderabletimeandmoney.
• Idaho’sBountywasformedin2007inanefforttofacilitatedeliveriestohouseholdcustomers,butmovedtoawholesalemodel,andthenfloundered
• OnceasolidcoordinatingentityhasbeenbuiltthroughtheWholesaleProducePartnership,theCommunityFoodsWorkingGroupshouldexplorewaystobetterconnectfarmerstoresidentsofHailey,Bellevue,TwinFalls,Fairfield,Buhl,etc.
• Brandingcampaigns,unifiedorderingplatforms,andcommunityeventscanhelpcreategreatervisibilityandstrongerconsumerloyaltyforthesefarmers
• Supportiveinfrastructurewillberequired,suchason-farmcoldstorage,Bellevue/Haileycoldstoragefacilities,freezerspace,warehousespace,refrigerateddeliverytrucks,driverstrainedforsafefoodhandling,farmlabor,andmore
• Thereislikelytobeaneedtosubsidizesalestolower-incomeresidentsthroughTheHungerCoalition
• Kraay’sMarket&Gardenhasdevelopedagreatdealoftrustwithfarmers,andwantstoexpanditscoldstorageandwarehousecapacitytoservemorefarmersandhouseholdconsumers
• AsTheHungerCoalitionexpandsitsstorageanddeliverycapacity,communityfoodleadersshouldexplorewhethertherecouldbesynergyinbuildingsharedstoragespacesanddeliveryroutes
• Forexample,onefoodstoragefacilityinBellevueorHaileywouldserveasaconvenientdrop-offpointforfarmers,couldexpandthecapacityofKraay’sMarket&Garden,and
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couldstrengthentheworkofTheHungerCoalition,andperhapshelplocalretailers,allwithasingleinvestment
TheWoodRiverLandTrust:
• WoodRiverLandTrustalreadyholdsownershipoffarmlandthatitprotectsforagriculturaluse
• WRLTsaysitiswideopentofurthercollaborations• WRLTalsohasanongoingpartnershipwiththeSouthIdahoLandTrust
TheNatureConservancy:
• TheNatureConservancyalsowantstoprotectfarmland• Conductingafive-yearpilotintheSnakeRiverareatotransitionaranchfrom
conventionaltosustainableag• AlsoworkingwithaBellevuelandownertomovetowardregenerativeagandmeasure
soilhealth• Implementingawaterstrategyacrossthestate• TNCownsaplotoflandneartheairportandisexploringthecreationofanorchardon
thesite• Itsoutreachpriorityistohosteventsthatare“funandbringpeopletogether”
TheQuigleyFarm
• TheSageSchoolwillgetpermanenthomeintheQuigleyFarmdevelopment• HarryWeekes,schooldirector,isalsooneofthedevelopersoftheentireproperty,
whichwillincludenewhousingaswellasfarmland• Thedevelopmentisintendedtoprotectfarmlandandopenrecreationspacewhilealso
fundingfuturecommunityimprovementeffortsasnewhomesaresold• Developersembracetheconceptofgrowingfoodforlocalresidentsonthefarm• TheSageSchoolseekstopartnerwithothercommunitygroupsasitbuildsitsnew
facilityEducatestudentsaboutcropsthatgrowwellinRegion
• IfthereisgoingtobeastrongcommunityfoodsystemintheValleyregion,residentswillovertimehavetomakeapriorityofpurchasingandeatingthefoodsthatcaneasilybegrownhere–onions,potatoes,squash,cabbage,kale/greens,meats,berries,apples,beans,grains,tomatoes,peppers,etc.
• Educationtowardthisendisalreadyunderwayintheschools;thisisonecriticalplaceforfosteringaculturethatappreciatesfarmersandwhatisgrownlocally
• Onekeyelementofthisisunderstandingwhichfoodsareharvestedinwhichseason• Anotherkeyelementismakingsurestudentsknowandsupportfarmersintheregion• Communityeventscanraisevisibilityandbringpeopletogethertocookandenjoythese
foods• BuildingacultureoffoodcenteredaroundthefoodsthatgrowwellinWRVwillbe
crucialtolong-termresilienceofthecommunityfoodsystem
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1,000SpringsMill(Buhl) PhotobyKenMeter,20182.InitiativesthatarelikelytomoveforwardontheirownMeatslaughterhouse
• JoshHaleofElkhornRanchSouthplanstobuildameatslaughterandprocessingfacilityinMackay.
• Thislocationisremotefrommostproducers,butveryclosetoElkhornRanchSouthonlandthefamilycurrentlyowns.
• Halesayshehasinvestmentcapitalavailable.• Halesaysthatthereareenoughfarmlaborersnearthatlocationtoprovideasuitable
workforcefortheplant.• Thefinalsizeandscaleoftheplantisyettobedetermined.• Haleworksquiteindependently,yetisalsoopentoinsightsfromothers.• Localfoodleadersmaypotentiallyplayanimportantroleinbringingprofessional
expertisetofacilitatethisprocess,andensuringthatitaugmentsotheractivityperformedunderthisStrategicPlan.
1,000SpringsMill
• TimCornieofBuhlwasabletopurchaseone-halfoftheformerSenecavegetablepackingplantinBuhlonveryfavorableterms.
• TammaraBeckservesasCFO.• Theyhaveformed1,000SpringsMillinsidethebuilding.• Theirsectionofthecampusincludesonlydrystorage.• Theyhaveinstalledmillingandcleaningequipmentinthefacility.• Observersnotethattheyhavesomeofthemostadvancedgraincleaningequipment
available.
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• 1,000Springsisalreadycleaninggrainforseveralnearbyfarms,andhopestopartnerwithmoregrowersovertime.
• Primaryfocusisonlarge-scaleprocessingofgrainsandseedsgrowninimmediateareaandsoldtodistantcustomers
• WhileTimandTammaraarehappytobehelpful,theydidnotviewtheiroperationashavingacloseconnectionwithcommunityfoodsefforts.
CulinaryInstitute
• HarryGriffithandSunValleyEconomicDevelopmenthaveteamedupwithseveralInvestorshopingtobuildafacilitythatcantrainfoodpreparationworkerswhohopefullywilllandjobsintheSunValleyhospitalityandresortindustry.
• Thisisfurtherviewedasawaytocreatea“fooddestination”inKetchumthatwouldattractvisitorsandcelebritychefs.
• Griffithreportsthataboutone-thirdofthe$750,000requiredtoopentheInstitutehasbeencommitted.
• Onepromisingdowntownsiterecentlybecameunfeasible.AsofJanuary,2019,theInstitutewillbetemporarilyhousedintheformerElkhornSpringsRestaurantinSunValleyfor12to18months.ThegoalistoeventuallymovetheInstitutetodowntownKetchum.
• Recognizingthatthemanyculinaryschoolshaveclosedbecausestudentswereleftsaddledwithdebtandtrainedonlyforlower-leveljobs,theSunValleyCulinaryInstituteplanstoofferscholarshipstostudentswhorequireaidsotheywillnotneedtotakeondebt.
• Suchaninstitutecouldserveasaresourceforcommunityfoodsactivities,buttheprimaryfocusoftheinitiativeisontheresortindustryofSunValley.
• LocalFoodAllianceandTheHungerCoalitionmightplayaroleincoordinatingthisinitiativewiththeCollegeofSouthernIdaho’sculinaryprogramtominimizeduplicationofeffortsorcompetitionforfunds.
Growmoreproduceingreenhouses/hoophouses
• WhiletheshortgrowingseasonintheWoodRiverValleyisnotaseverelimitingfactor(evenregionsintheUSwithfourgrowingseasonsexperiencesimilardifficultiesensuringthatfoodfromlocalfarmsgetstolocalconsumers),13itisstilldesirabletoextendthegrowingseasonaspossibletoallowmoreresidentstoaccessfreshfoods.
• Oneseverelimitationofgreenhouseorhoophouseproductionispayingfortheenergyrequiredtoheateachbuilding.
• Thismakesthosegreenhousesandhoophousesthatrunonrenewableenergymorecompetitive.
• Severalpeoplementionedtheywouldliketoseegrowerstakeadvantageofthermalheatfromhotsprings
• Advancedtechnology(efficientconstruction,electroniccontrols,etc.)mayhelpensurereliability
13SeeMakingSmallFarmsIntoBigBusiness(www.crcworks.org/scfood.pdf);Hawai‘iFoodForAll(www.crcworks.org/hifood.pdf);andBuildingCommunityNetworksThroughCommunityFood(www.crcworks.org/azmaricopa18.pdf).
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• JamesReedraisesbiodynamicproduceinhoophousesinHagerman;thelateMattMorangrewfoodinsideanewlybuiltgreenhousemakingconsiderableuseofpassivesolarheatandelectroniccontrols;MarkCaraluzzihopestoconstructaverticalgreenhouseinKetchum;andJamonFrostensonraisesgreensandotherproduceinenclosed,insulated,andLED-litbuildingshehasconstructedhimselfnearFairfield.
• SeeAppendixC[XX]forareviewofrecentliteraturecomparingnutritionalvalueoffoodsgrowninsoilwiththoseraisedhydroponically;thereissignificantcontroversyaroundtheseissues.
4.OtheropportunitiesWoodRiverSustainabilityCenter
• WoodRiverSustainabilityCenteroperatesinaformerForestServicebuildinginHailey.• Primarybusinessiscateringforevents;alsoprovidesdailylunchesforCommunity
School.• Thebuildinghasrefrigeratedfoodstorage,acommercialkitchen,andretailspace.• Thestoresellsasmallnumberoffoodsraisedonlocalfarms,andalsosellssourdough
breadbakedinhouse.• Severalintervieweessuggestedthatthiscombinationofstoragespace,kitchen,and
storeservesasanexampleofwhatalargerfacilitymightoffer.Rent“corners”ofcenterpivotfields
• Forseveralyears,therehavebeeninformaldiscussionsofmakinglandatthe“corners”offieldsirrigatedwithcenterpivots(thosesectionsofeachfieldthatarenotcoveredbytherotatingsprinklersystems)availableforusebyemergingfarmerswhoneedland.
• PatPurdyiswillingtomakelandavailabletofarmerswhomightwishtorentlandonhisfarm.Hismotivationisthatheoftencanearnmorerentingoutthislandthanbytryingtofarmit.Hesayshewouldhavemultiplesitesonlandheowns,andthatneighborswouldhaveothers.
• Someofthese“corners”haveaccesstoirrigationwater,ifpipesaretapped.• Someofthesesiteslackwater.• Becausethesesitesarescattered,somecoordinationmaybeneededtoconnect
farmerswithland,toconnecteachplotwithwater,tobuildtoolshedsand/orfoodstoragefacilitiesthatdonotinterferewithcenterpivots,andtocoordinatedistributiontomarkets.
Expandcomposting
• CompostingintheValleyappearstobelimitedbytheextentthatmunicipalandprivatehaulerscollectorganicmaterialsforcompost.
• Workingwithmunicipalofficialstoensurethatallorganicwastematerialsarecompostedcouldbeimportant,ifonlytoadequatelyrecycleorganicwastesandkeepitfromlandfills.
• Theprimarymarketforcurrentcompostmaterialishouseholdgardenersandsmallfarms;thereisinsufficientsupplyfor(andlimiteddemandfrom)commercialgrowers.
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• Manycommercialgrowerswhowishtousecompostarecapableofproducingtheirown.
• Somearealandscapersarepurchasingcompostaswell
GreenhouseatMorningstarArisingFarms(Bellevue) PhotobyKenMeter,2018
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AppendixA:QualitiesoftheExistingCommunity-BasedFoodSystem
AllcommentsbelowaretakenfrominterviewswithfoodsystemleadersidentifiedbytheLocalFoodAllianceandtheBlaineCountyFoodCouncil.Somehavebeen
paraphrasedforclarity,ortoprotectaperson’sidentity.Someareinconsistentwitheachother.Wecannotguaranteetheaccuracyofallstatements.
Thelistbelowmaybeexpandedbylocalstakeholdersasneeded.
Thisisonlyastartingpointinidentifyingassets,weaknesses,opportunities,andobstacles,andreflectscommentsmadeinourinterviewsof61foodleaders
Rankingof“key”qualitiesmadebyConsultant.
Strengths&AssetsoftheRegion’sCommunityFoodSystem:KeyAssets:
• TheWoodRiverValleyRegionholdsastrongheritageoffarming• Regionresidents“havethemindsettoeathealthier,locallyraisedfood”• Ketchum/SunValleyhasanexceptionalcoreofdonorswhohaveinvestedinthe
broadercommunityAdditionalAssetsandStrengths:Favorableconditionsforfarming
• Goodsoil• Soil-healthimprovementinitiativesarealreadyunderway• Considerablelandhasbeencertifiedorganic14• Wegrowadiversityofcrops• Dryclimatereducespestanddiseasepressureonfarmers• “Amplewaterinseveralplacesincludingbothartesianandtraditionalirrigation”• “Foradesertarea,waterresourcesaregood”(thoughthereareconcernsaboutwater
quality)• “Farmershavealreadymadean$18-millioninvestmentinwaterinfrastructure”• “Theregionhasexcellentgroundforgrazingcattle”andalongtraditionofanimal
husbandry• “Farmsgrowhigh-qualityforageonayear-roundbasis”• “500,000cattlegrazeintheWoodRiverValley”• ThetopfouragriculturalcountiesinIdaho(rankedbysales)areinSouthernIdaho–
Cassia,Gooding,Jerome,andTwinFallsCounties• SouthernIdahohasbeenrecognizednationallyasafoodprocessingcenter• Severalstate-certifiedmeatprocessorsofferservicesthatarewelllikedbyfarmers• TheValleyholdswildlifehabitat,especiallyinriverfloodplainsandinremotemountain
areas
14TheUSDACensusofAgricultureshows16farmswith10,960acresoforganicproductioninBlaineCountyasof2007;similardatawerenotcompiledfor2012.
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Consumerinterestinpurchasingfromlocalfarmsisexpanding• “InterestinhealthyfoodhasspreadfromSunValleytotherestofthecounty”• Residentswhohavehadcancerknowthebenefitsofeatinghealthierfoods• Manyresidentswhocareabouthealthyfoodgrowtheirowngardens• Anumberofresidentshold“considerableenthusiasmtocreate”communityfoodtrade• Consumersarelookingforfoodfromlocalfarms(thoughthesearemostlyconsumers
withfinancialmeans,andmostresidentsseemtoshoponlyonprice)• Farmers’marketshelpfarmersandsmallprocessorstobuilddirectconnectionswith
consumers,whichisespeciallyimportantforastartup• TheFairfieldFarmers’Marketreportsrisingsales
SeveralfarmsalreadyproducefoodforWoodRiverValleyRegionresidents
• Acoreoffarmsproducefoodfordirectsaletohouseholds• Severalexperiencedfarmsgrowfoodatthewholesalelevel
TheWoodRiverValleyRegionhasalonghistoryofensuringfoodaccess
• TheHungerCoalitionservesoneofeveryfivepeopleinBlaineCounty,andhasbuiltconsiderableconnectionwithlow-incomeresidents
• TheHungerCoalitionalsoholdsextensiveexperienceinwarehousing,shipping,anddistributingfoodsafely
• TheHungerCoalitionispraisedforitsabilitytomobilizevolunteers• TheBlaineCountyFoodSystemAssessment(2015)highlightedissuesofpovertyand
inequalityintheCounty15Theregionholdspracticalexperienceinfooddistribution
• Severalfarmerspartnereffectivelywitheachother• Farmersandbuyershavealllearnedfrompriorsuccessesandfailures,notablythe
collapseofIdaho’sBounty
Anetworkofcommunityfoodsystemleadersisinplace• SeveralfarmersreportthatAtkinsons’Markethasgoneoutoftheirwaytopurchase
foodfromtheirfarms• Muchoftheongoingcollaborationisinformal• TheBlaineCountyFoodCouncilhasbeenorganizedsince2015,anditsmonthly
meetingsprovidearegularforumforsharedideasandcollaboration• TheHungerCoalitioneffectivelyaddressesissuesofpoverty• LocalFoodAlliancewasfoundedin2013andhasworkedtoincreasedemandforlocal
foods,promotelocalfarmsandfoodbusinesses,andeducateconsumersaboutfood. .In2016,LFAbeganaprocessofintegratingwiththeSunValleyInstituteforResilience;duringthesummerof2018LFAformallybegantooperateastheSVIfoodprogram.
Manycommunitygroupssupportagriculture
• “TheBlaineCountyplanispro-agriculture”
15TheHungerCoalition(2015).BlaineCountyCommunityFoodAssessment.
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• Severalagenciesandnonprofits,includingWoodRiverLandTrust,SouthIdahoLandTrust,TheNatureConservancy,andQuigleyFarmproject,havetakencriticalstepstoprotectfarmland
• TheWoodRiverLandTrusthaspursueda“communityconservation”approachbyformingpartnershipswithothercommunitygroups
Theregiondrawsnewresidentseachyear
• TheWoodRiverValleyhasa“desirablequalityofplace”• SunValleyisaninternationaltouristdestination• Manyresidentscameherefromsomewhereelse
Renewableenergyisavailable
• Theregionhasconsiderablepotentialforrenewableenergy,especiallythroughsolarcollectors
• Hotspringsprovideheatthatmightbeharnessedforseasonextension• Geothermalenergyisavailable(thoughexpensivetoharness)
Collaborationsareactivelyatwork
• TheWoodRiverValleyhasafairlycompactanddistinctgeography• “Thecommunityissomewhatclose-knit”• “Therecentfireshelpedunitethecommunity”• “Ketchumhas130activenonprofits”• Communitytrustdriveslocalcommerce
Severalcommercialnetworksarefunctioning[Notethatthissectionisespeciallylimitedbythefactthatonly61peoplecouldbeinterviewed;thisisnotacompletelist]
• Kraay’sMarket&Gardencollaborateswith50vendorsincluding15-20growerstodelivertheirproductsdirectlytohouseholds
• Kraay’sMarket&GardensendsadrivertoTwinFalls,Buhl,andHagermaneachTuesdayduringthegrowingseason
• MikeHeathandNateJonescollaborateonstorageanddistribution• JohnandBeckyKlimescollaboratewithMikeHeath• OnsenFarmWinterandSummerCSAsinvolvecollaborationwithneighboringfarmsand
businessesincludingAgrarianHarvest,OasisMarket,and1,000SpringsMill• WaterwheelGardensdistributesproductsforPrairieSunFarms,VogelFarms,and
DoubleSpringsRanch• ElkhornFarmssellsporktoseveralrestaurantsinKetchum• HillsideRanchFlourandGraincollaborateswithnearbygraingrowerstoproducegrains
forhouseholduse• RichardFeuchtinFairfieldcollaborateswithotherfarmerswhosellatthemarket(which
hemanages)• TheKetchumFarmers’Marketbringsfarmerstooneplacetosellproductsandengages
severalinpolicysettingthroughtheboardofdirectors• WoodRiverLandTrustseekstobuildcollaborationsthrough“CommunityConservation”• WoodRiverLandTrustcollaborateswithSouthIdahoLandTrustandtheNature
Conservancy• TheNatureConservancycollaborateswithNRCSandseveralcommunitygroups
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• TheNatureConservancycollaborateswithErnie’sOrganicsandBrettStevenson• QuigleyFarmprojectisacollaborationinvolvingdevelopers,TheSageSchool,Nature
Conservancy,WoodRiverLandTrust,andmanyotherpartners• TheHungerCoalitionworkscloselywithlower-incomeresidents• LavaLakeLambisitselfaclusterofbusinesses,includingLavaLakeLandandLivestock,
andLavaLakeInstitute.Thisclustercollaborateswith(andarepartownersof)MountainStatesCo-op(processinginColorado)andastoragefacilityinBoise
• LocalFoodAllianceandBlaineCountyFoodCouncilhaveoverlappingmembers• 1,000SpringsMillcollaborateswithscoresofBuhlareagrowerstobringtheirproducts
toexportmarkets
WeaknessesoftheCommunityFoodSystem:KeyWeaknesses:
• Prevailingfoodinfrastructurestronglyfavorsfoodimportsandexportsovercommunityfoodtrade
• Goodpeoplewithsolidvisionareworkingseparatelyratherthancollaboratively• Althoughresidentsknoweachotherandarefriendlytoeachother,genuine
collaborationislimited.Moreneedstobeaccomplished• Muchofthecommunityfoodsactivityhasengagedonlyhigher-incomeresidents
OtherAreasofConcern:Inequality
• IncomeinequalityinBlaineCountyisamongthehighestintheUS• OneofeveryfiveBlaineCountyresidentsreliesupontheHungerCoalition• “Thisisthe8thmostexpensiveregionintheUSforfood”butmanyresidentshavelow
incomes• “38%oftheBlaineCountypopulationisvulnerable”[tolackoffoodaccess]• “40to50%ofthepopulationisburdenedbyhousingcosts”• Workingpeople—includingresortworkers,firemen,andpolicemen—relyuponfood
shelves• Althoughprosperousresidentsareincreasinglypayingforfoodtobedeliveredtotheir
door,mostresidentscannotaffordsuchaservice• Farmers,chefs,anddistributorsaredonatingconsiderabletimeandmoneytosupply
wealthiercustomerswithlocallyraisedfood–thisisnotsustainableoverthelonghaulLackofsupportiveinfrastructure
• Oneconsumersaid,“IdonothaveanywhereIcanpurchasethefoodsthatIwant”• Warehousespaceandcoldstorageislacking,bothatthefarmlevelandinpopulation
centers• LocatedatthenorthendoftheWoodRiverValley,KetchumandSunValleycustomers
aresomewhatisolated.Inparticular,deliverytruckshaveonlyoneroad,andhavelittle
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theycanbackhaul—thatis,toshipproductsbacktowherethetrucksstartedfrom[whichwouldreduceshippingcosts]
• “Welackasinglewholesaleentity”• Severalproducedistributioninitiativeshaveclosed
o SawtoothGardenProjecto Idaho’sBountyo NorthwestProduce
• Onelargerproducebroker(fromCalifornia)stoppedservingValleygrowers,leavingfarmerswithfeweroptions
• Theregionhasfewsmalllogisticsfirmsthatcouldcarrylocallyraisedproducts• Deliverydriversdonotalwaysadequatelyprotectthesafetyofthefoodstheydeliver• Skilledlaborisoftenlackingforfarmworkorfooddistribution• FarmerslackaccesstoUSDA-certifiedmeatprocessing.Thislimitstheirabilitytosellto
institutionalaccounts(ElkhornSouthRanchnowintendstoopenaslaughteroperation)• Lendersaretypicallyunwillingtoloanmoneytofarmers• “Costoflandistoohightobepaidbyfarming”• “Landis$10,000-$20,000peracre”• “Farmingtopaythemortgagemeansyou’remorelimitedinwhatyoucangrow”• “Farmingingeneralhasloweconomicviability”• Can’tstarttofarmwithoutpriorwealth:“Peoplehavetoworkoffthefarmtopayfor
thefarm”• Populationisneitherlargenorcompact• “Wedon’thaveenoughvenueswherepeoplecangather”
Lackofaction
• Therearesomanygoodopportunitiesthatpeopleareparalyzedbychoice• “Thefoodsystemsworkhasbeenspinningwheels”• “Wehavelotsofgreatmeetingsaboutfood,butnothinggetsaccomplished”• Oneconsumer:“Fiveyearsago,IhadmorechoicesforbuyingfromlocalfarmsthanI
havetoday”• Well-intendedinvestmentshaveendedupcostingfarmersmoney• Manyleaderslookforthe“nextnewidea”ratherthandiscipliningthemselvestoget
pragmatictasksdone• “Thereisanurbanidealismcombinedwithalackofwillingnesstodothehardwork”• “Theregionlacksastrongmanufacturingorfarmingworkforce”• “Entrepreneurshipislacking”[inthecommunityfoodtrade]
Leadersfeelisolatedorhurt
• “Peoplehavetocare.Theyactliketheydo,buttheyoftendon’t.”• Severaldeepinterpersonalwoundsororganizationalconflictshaveyettobehealed• Localgroupsoftenoperatein“silos”separatefromeachother• “We’renotacollaborativecommunity–wedon’tshareresources”• Somefarmersandchefsreportedthattheyhaddonatedconsiderablefoodandtimeto
supportcommunitymeals,butreceivedlittleinreturn• Manyofthecommunitymealsfeaturinglocalfarmswerean“elitethingthatdidnot
penetratetomostresidents’lives.”
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• ManyValleyresidentsareunwillingtoengagewithpeopletheyperceiveas“different”• “Youhavetobeabitcrazytodothis[foodwork]”• “Everyonewhohastriedlocal[produce]processinghasfailed”
Leadershipisnotclear
• Localfoodleadersdidnotunderstandwhytherearetwoseparateentities[BCFCandLFA]
• Therolesofthetwogroupsarenotclear,andmanyintervieweeshadlimitedknowledgeofeithergroup
Proactiveleadershipisneeded
• “Manyinitiativesarereactiveratherthanplanful”• “Itisrarethatpoliticaloreconomicleaderstakethelongview”
Growersandbuyersneedbettercommunications
• “Chefsdon’tmeetwitheachother;farmersdon’tmeetwitheachother”• “Itisoftendifficultforfarmersandchefstocommunicatewitheachother”• Onefarmersaidconsumerinterestinlocallyraisedfoodislimited:“Youcan’tguarantee
thatanyonewillbuyyourproduct”ifyougrowit• Onefarmerlamentedthathegetsverylittlecommunicationfromchefsaboutwhat
theyarelookingfor,soheistrappedina“guessinggame.OneyearIdecidednottoplant[aspecificproduceitem],andsuddenlyeverybodywantedthem.”
• “Restaurantsusethenamesoffarmers[ontheirmenus],butdonotactuallybuyfromthem”
• “OnechefplacedabigorderonTuesday,andbyThursdayhehadquithisjob,soIdidn’tgetpaid”
• Severalchefswantasimplerprocessfororderingfromnearbyfarms• Onechefsaid,“Toomanyfarmersgrowexactlythesamecrops.Theyaretoosmall-scale
todealwithrestaurants”Greaterconsistencyisneeded
• ConsistentfoodproductionanddistributiontoValleyconsumershasbeenelusive• Wholesaleandrestaurantbuyerspurchaseinrelativelysmallquantities• “Bothgrowersorbuyerscouldactmoreprofessionally”
Farmers’marketsarecriticaltonewgrowers,butsomefarmerswantotheroptions
• Manylong-termfarmersfindthatsellingatfarmers’marketsistoolimiting,yettheinfrastructureforwholesaletradeislimited
UncertaintyhasplaguedtheKetchumFarmers’Market
• TheKetchumFarmers’MarketmeetsonTuesday,whichmaynotbeanoptimaldayforconsumers
• “Itisridiculousthatthefarmers’marketisonTuesday”• SeveralbusinessesinKetchumhavecomplainedthatparkingisdifficultfortheir
customersonfarmers’marketdays• TheCityofKetchumseekstorelocatethemarkettoalessvisiblelocationatForest
ServiceParkwhilechargingthesamehighfeesastheTownSquarelocation
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• DecisionsabouttheWoodRiverFarmers’MarkethavenotbeentransparentInstitutionalpurchasesarelimited
• Institutionalfoodpurchaserssuchastheschooldistrictandhospitalhavelimitedbudgets
• FewtaketheleadtoconnectwithfarmersEconomiesofscalearenotclear
• “Manyfarmshavenotattainedeconomiesofscalesotheirproductionandmarketingcostsarehigh”
• Yetmanyfarmsandbusinessesthathaveachievedeconomiesofscalesellprimarilytoexternalmarkets
Energyalternativeshaveyettobetapped
• “NIMBYshavestalledfoodproductioneffortsnearhotsprings”• “Geothermalenergyispossiblebutexpensive”
WoodRiverValleyRegionlacksaclearandunifiedvisionforcommunityfoods
• “Whoismanagingthevisionofbuildingastableandconsistentsupplyoffood?”• “TheCityofKetchumdoesnotpromotelocalfoodsenough”• “TheWoodRiverValleylacksaclearidentity”• Muchofthepopulationcomesfrom“away”• Valleyleaders“havenotyetdevelopedaconsistentmessagingaroundsoilhealth”• “It’sdifficulttoconveytoconsumerstheideathatlocalfarmsraisefoodthatismore
nutritiousandfresherthanwhatisavailableatthesupermarkets”• “Consumersdon’talwaysrealizewhatittakestogrowfood”• “Consumersarenotawareoftheseasonalityoffoodproduction”• “Consumerswantconvenience;”locallyraisedfoodstakeadditionalattention
Naturalandenvironmentalconstraints
• Wehavealimitedgrowingseason• “Severaloftheestablishedfarmerswillretiresoon.Therearenotenoughyoung
farmerstoreplacethem”• Beesarethreatened
ObstaclestostrengtheningtheCommunityFoodSystem:KeyObstacles:
• Inequality• Lackofcollaborationorcommunication:“Everyoneisalwaysdoingtheirownthing”
OtherBarriers:Limitedinterestinfoodandfarming
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• “Mostpeoplejustdon’tcare”aboutaccessinghealthierfood• “Everyonewantslocalfood,buthesitatestopaytheprice”• Manyresidentstravelagreatdeal,limitingtheirabilitytofocusonlocalimplementation• Consumersandactivistsalikelackinterestinlearningaboutfarming• “Wearejustnotgoingtoreachlowormoderateincomeconsumers”[theydon’thave
enoughmoney]• “Donorsarelosinginterestinaddressingpovertyorlong-termchange”• “Ifyou’regoingtobearancheryouhavetoburnwithadesiretoranch”• “Youhavetohaveapassiontogrowcrops”• (Asafarmer),“sometimesitisjusteasiertoplaceitonthetruck”[sellittoacommodity
stream]Regulatoryobstacles
• “Environmentalandhealthregulationsarenotappropriatetothescaleatwhichmanyfarmersfarm”
Environmentalconstraints
• “LocalfoodsystemsmaybeunrealisticintheValley,becauseofthelimitedcropswecangrowwithashortseason”
• Thereisa“limittocalorieswecanproducelocally”• Climatechange• SoilHealth
OpportunitiesforstrengtheningtheCommunityFoodSystem:KeyOpportunities:
• WoodRiverValleyRegionhasenoughland,wealth,andconsumerpurchasingtobuildastrongcommunityfoodsystem
• PrioritizeprojectsthatwillstrengthentrustandcollaborationamongRegionstakeholders
• EngageallresidentsofWoodRiverValleyRegionincommunityfoodsefforts• WorkcollaborativelytoleverageTheHungerCoalition’sexpansion• Buildadistributionnetworkappropriatetotheleveloffarmproduction• Buildcoldstorageonwholesalingfarms(couldbebuiltbylocalfarmers)• BuildwarehousespaceandcoldstorageinHailey/Bellevue
OtherOpportunities:Greatercoordination
• “Elementscouldbeputtogethertomakethesystemworkbetter”• “Startsmallandtakepragmaticandpracticalsteps”• “Takeouttheidealism”
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Leveragecommunitywealth• “WiththemoneythisValleyhas,wecould:
o Payfarmersabovetheircostsofproductiono Growthefoodswewanttoeato Processfoodforourselveso Distributefoodourselves”
• “Ifwecanspend$16milliononananimalshelter,and$18milliononaniceskatingarena,wecanaffordafacilitythatpromoteshealthyeatingwithfoodraisedonlocalfarms”
BuildaCommunityResilienceCenterfocusedonfoodforallresidents
• Manyintervieweesseektohaveadditionalfoodstorage,commercialkitchen,orcommunitygatheringspace.[Thereisstrongriskoftheseeffortscompetingwitheachotherforfunding,orduplicatingenergies.Compilingtheconceptsbroughtforwardbyourinterviewees,theremaybeastrongpossibilitythatgroupscouldcollaborateonone“BigIdea”projectthatwouldcreateefficienciesincommunityfoodtradeandhelpfostercollaboration.
• [PerhapsonesinglefacilitycouldbebuiltinHailey/Bellevuethatcombinesanyofthefollowingelementsthatcanbesupportedeitherthroughsalesordonations.Somespacesmightbesharedbyseveralgroups]:
o expandedwarehousespaceo coolerspaceo freezerspaceo stagingareaandloadingdockso communitykitcheno retailstoreo communitygatheringspaceo classroomso fruit&vegetableprocessingo rapidcoolingequipmentforfreshproduceo grainlabo mobilemarketo foodtrucks
• [Thislistismeanttosuggestpossibilities,butcarefulbusinessplanningshouldbecompletedbeforelaunchinganysuchinitiative;severalofthesecapacitiesarelikelytobeplacedonthebackburneruntilpartnershipsareinplaceandresourcesavailable.]
• [ThisfacilitycouldbebuiltinpartnershipinvolvingtheHungerCoalition,SunValleyInstitute/LocalFoodAlliance,BlaineCountyFoodCouncil,Kraay’sMarket&Garden,theWholesaleProducePartnership,HillsideRanchFlour&Grain,otherfarmersandfoodinitiatives,Atkinsons’Market,andotherswhomaybeinvited]
• [Alternatively,ifgroupscollaborateondevelopingindividualspaces,andavoidduplicationofenergiesandfacilities,aneffectiveandtrustingnetworkcouldcoordinateactivitythroughseparatesites]
• “Statemoneymaybeavailabletobuildavegetableprocessingfacility”
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Developaknowledgebase
• Itwouldinclude:o Listsoffarmsgrowingforcommunitymarketso Howmanyacreseachfarmso Whichproductseachfarmgrowso Whichproductseachwouldliketoaddo Existingtrucks&deliveryrouteso Makesureweknowthetruecostsofgrowinganddistributingfoodo HowmuchfoodwouldbeneededtofeedeveryoneintheValley?o andmore…
SparkInnovation
• “RaisemoneytoofferCommunityChallengeGrantsof$10,000to$20,000–inviteanyonewhoappliestocreateanewwayofmeetingourgoalsforacommunityfoodsystem”
Grownewgrowers
• “Weneedyoungpeoplewhowillstartfarmingwithregenerativepractices”• “Wecouldengageyoungfarmersinraisingcattlesotheycanbuildwealth”• CultivateFFAmembership:“nobodywantstofarmthesedays”• Landatcenter-pivotcornersisavailable,butmayrequireconsiderablecoordination• Educateresidentsthroughkids• Inspireyoungfarmers
Selllocalfoodatpricepointsthatresidentscanafford
• “Weneedtolookatthepricepeoplearewillingtopaygrowersfortheirproduce”• “Subsidizefarmandfoodlaborsoworkersgetalivingwage”
Differentiatedproductsmayappealtoprosperousconsumers
• “Grownicheproductsthataredifferentiatedinthemarket”• “Themarkettellsmeweshouldbegrowingmoreofthefollowing:
o Greens&Lettuceo Microgreenso Chard,Kale,Spinach,etco Stonefruits”
• “Expandcheeseproduction.Americanseat34poundsofcheeseeachyear”• “KetchumcouldbethelaboratoryforfoodprocessorsinSouthernIdaho”
Expandlocalofferings
• “Farmersshouldgrowmorediverseproducts”• “Wehavetoovercomethescalequestion”
TransparentlyplanforapermanentlocationfortheKetchumFarmers’Marketplanning
• MeetingsaboutthefutureoftheMarketshouldbeheldinpublicforumsandconsiderablepublicinputisrequired.
• “ConsideralocationbetweenHaileyandKetchum”
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• “ChangethedayoftheKetchumFarmers’Market(oraddasecondday)”Coordinatecommunityfoodsworkmoreeffectively
• “Translateourvisionintoactionquickly”• “Foodisanequalizer.Weneedeventsthatarefunandbuildcommunityconnections”• “Createabusinessplanforseekingfoodself-sufficiency”• “Figureouthowmuchfoodweneed”[andgrowit]• Createinnovativefood-accessmodels(involvingmorecapacity-buildingthanfood
shelves)• “Buildreciprocalrelationships”• Build“placesforself-reliance”• “Mounteducationalcampaignsthatengagethebroaderpopulation”• “Educateresidentsaboutwheretheirfoodcomesfrom”• “Thinkoutsidethebox”
ConveneValleystakeholdersonaregularbasis
• Buildcapacitiesofresidentstogrow,purchase,prepare,andeathealthyfoods• Holdanannualworkingconferenceonbuildingcommunityfoodtrade• Holdannualfarmer-to-farmermeetings• “Inotherregions,farmershaveworkedtogether.”• Holdannualchef-to-chefmeetings
Expandseasonextensionefforts
• Developmoregreenhousestoextendgrowingseason• “Buildinfrastructureforbendingmetalsowecouldmanufactureourowngreenhouses”• Buildcapacityofresidents• “Farmershavetoproducemoreconsistently,andbuyershavetobuymoreconsistently”• “Weneedtobuildreciprocalrelationships”
Createcommunitygatheringspacesaroundfoodthatappealtoallresidents
• TheHungerCoalitionseekstocreategatheringspacesforitsconstituents• “Weneedcommunitygatheringspaces
Encouragewholesalefoodtrade
• “Encourageforwardcontractingbywholesalebuyers”[whereabuyercommitstopurchasingacertainamountofproductifthefarmergrowsit]
• “Combineseasonalfarmlaborwiththewinterlodges”Farmersandchefsbothseekbetterlogistics
• “Weneedlogisticsandtransportation”• “Thingswouldworkbetterifpeoplecommunicate”• “Weneedanonprofitwithamissiontogetfoodtoconsumers”• “Hiresalesstaffonabasewageofabout$20,000plusacommissionofapercentageof
sales”• “Unifytheunitssoldandpricesofferedamongfarmers”• “Farmershavetoproducemoreconsistently,andbuyershavetobuymoreconsistently”
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• “CentrallocationwithcoolersinbothWoodRiverValleyandinTwinFalls”• “Placerefrigeratedunits(possiblyintrucksoroldshippingcontainers)onfarms”• “Ilookedoverourcostsanditisoftencheaperforusasfarmerstodeliverourselves
thantohireadistributionfirmtodoit”[eventakinglaborintoaccount]• “WeneedasystemofdistributioninTwinFalls”• “Weneedapoolofsprintervanstocarryproductsinsmallquantities”• Atkinsons’Marketislookingformorebeef,chickens,turkeys,andvalue-addedproducts
fromlocalproducersBuildproteindirectmarketingcollaborative
• “Changethewaypeoplebuyprotein–iftheycanbuyaquarterorahalfanimal,thecostcomesdown”
• “Growerscouldofferseafood,beef,lamb,andchickenfordirectsaleonasingledayeachyear,October1.Consumerscouldorderontheinternetfromeachfarm,andalloftheproducerswoulddeliveronasingleday.”
• “Peoplewillneedfreezerstoragespacetostorethesefoods”CollaboratetofoundaUSDAmeatprocessingplant
• “Weneedacentrallylocatedmeatprocessingfacility”• JoshHaleofElkhornRanchSouthisconsideringopeningaslaughteroperationin
MackayOthersuggestions
• “WecoulddevelopacommunityorchardonlandownedbytheLandTrustneartheairport”
• “WeneedaCPAwhoknowsfarming”[accountantswehaveapproacheddonotunderstandfarmbusinesses]
• Zoningmighthavetobemodified• GrowfoodatQuigleyFarm
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AppendixB:EconomicDataChart1:PopulationofBlaineCounty,Idaho
Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.ThepopulationofBlaineCountyrose283%(nearlyafour-foldincrease)from5,694in1969to21,791in2016,asChart1shows.
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Chart2:AdjustedPersonalIncomeforBlaineCountyresidents,1969–2016
Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Personalincomeroseevenfaster,from$22.4millionin1969(or$147millionin2016dollars)to$2billionin2016.Thisisanincreaseof1,275percent,afteradjustingforinflation,oranearly14-foldincrease.ThisisshownonChart2.Theglobalhousingfinancecrisisof2008tookasignificanttollonpersonalincome,butconsiderablerecoveryhasoccurred.
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Chart3:SourcesofAdjustedPersonalIncomeinBlaineCounty,1969-2016
Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Thevastmajorityofthisnewincomeisincomeearnedfromcapitalinvestments:interestonsavingsaccounts,dividendsfromsecurities,andrentalincome,asChart3shows.Allothersourcesofpersonalincomegrewrelativelyslowlyordeclined.ThissuggeststhatmostoftheincomeincreaseisduetoincomesourcedoutsideofBlaineCounty;newresidentsbroughtitwiththemwhentheymovedin.Fortheaverageresident,however,fewnewsourcesofincomewereavailable—whilelivingcostsrosebecausemoreprosperousresidents,andvisitors,wereabletospendathigherrates.
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Chart4:NetCashIncomeforFarmersinBlaineCounty,1969-2016
Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Chart4showspersonalincomeforallfarmersinBlaineCountyfrom1969–2016.CashreceiptsforBlaineCountyfarmersrosefrom$6.4millionin1969to$33millionin2016,afive-foldincrease.Yetduringthistimeperiod,productioncostsroseataslightlyhigherrate,from$6.1millionto$34million.Farmersmorethandoubledtheirproductivity(asmeasuredbyTotalFactorProductivitybytheEconomicResearchService)butreturnsstayedmoreorlessthesame.In19ofthose48years,productionexpensesexceededcashreceipts.Thesedatashowthatnewmarketscontinuedtobeavailable,evenasthenumberoffarmsfell17%,from224in1969to186in2012.Duringthisperiod,considerablelandwasalsotakenoutoffarming.In1969,BlaineCountyfarmersworked250,249acres;by2012totalfarmacreagehadfallento179,130,adecreaseof28percent(CensusofAgriculture,1969,2012).Thus,asmallernumberoffarmersweresellingmoreandmoreproductseachyear.
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Chart5:AdjustedNetCashIncomeforfarmersinBlaineCounty,1969-2016
Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Yettheannualdatacoveringpersonalincomeforfarmersshownonthepreviouschartshouldalsobeadjustedforinflation,toprovideadifferentviewofthesamedata.Since1969,thevalueofthedollarhasdeclinedsix-fold,duetoinflation.Chart5showsthesamedataasthepreviouschart,butismeasuredin2016dollars.Aftermakingthisadjustment,itisclearthattheBlaineCountyfarmeconomypeakedin1974,andhasofferedfewerreturnstofarmerseversince.Inthatyear,bothcashreceiptsandproductionexpensespeaked,whilefarmersearnedanetincomeof$8.7million(in2016dollars)inasingleyear.Slightlysmallerpeaksoccurredin1990and1993,andspeculationingraintradingcausedabriefriseincommoditypricesin2011.Yeteachofthesepeakswasfollowedbydeclinesinthefarmeconomy.Overall,BlaineCountyfarmersearned$3millionlessbyraisingcropsandlivestockin2016thantheyhadearnedin1969.Thisshowsthatfarmerinvestmentsinnewproductivitydidnotyieldlastingreturns(EconomicResearchService,2012,2013).AlthoughSouthernIdahogrewintoaprimefarmingandfood-manufacturingcenter,withnationalprominence,duringthisera,fewBlaineCountyfarmersgainedlastingbenefitsfromthattransition.
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Chart6:CropandLivestockSales(Adjusted)inBlaineCounty,1969-2016
Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.AsChart6shows,thistransitionintheBlaineCountyfarmeconomywascharacterizedbyadeclineinsalesoflivestockandrelatedproducts(themaroonline)whilesalesofcommoditycropsrose(greenline).Notethatthischartdoesnotshowprofitability,butonlycashreceipts.
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Chart7:FarmProductionExpenses(Adjusted)inBlaineCounty,1969-2016
Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.AsChart7shows,livestockpurchases(whichoftenwouldhavebeenboughtfromaneighboringfarminearlieryears)fellprecipitously,whilethecostsofexternalinputs,suchasfertilizersandseedssourcedoutsidetheCounty,haveriseninrecentyears.Themoststeadycosthasbeenfarmlabor,whichhasremainedatabout$7millionperyear(in2016dollars)forthepast48years.SincemanyoftheseworkersliveintheCounty,thisrepresentsasignificantsourceofincomeforBlaineCounty.
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Chart8:SourcesofAdjustedNetCashFarmIncomeinBlaineCounty,1969-2016
Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Summingupthefarmincomepicture,Chart8showsthethreemainsourcesofnetfarmincomeforBlaineCountyfarmers:sellingcommodities(redline);rentingoutland(blueline);andfederalsubsidies(orangeline).Notethatfederalpaymentswerethelargestandmostconsistentsourceoffarmincomefrom1977to1988,whilerentalincomedominatedfrom1997tothepresent.Thisistosaythatforlandowners,rentingoutfarmlandisamorereliablesourceofincomethanactuallyfarmingtheland.
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Chart9:AdjustedSNAPbenefitsreceivedinBlaineCounty,1969-2016
Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Meanwhile,hungerincreasedinBlaineCounty,despitetheriseofpersonalincomenotedabove.AsChart9shows,SNAPrecipientscollected$200,000ofbenefitsin1970(nodatawererecordedfor1969),butbenefitsrosedramaticallyduringtheglobalhousingfinancecrisis,peakingat$1.8millionin2012,andnowstandatabout$1millionperyear(SeealsoChart2).NotonlydoesSNAPdatarevealthevulnerabilityoftheBlaineCountypopulation,italsoshowshowmuchthisvulnerabilityisconnectedtoglobaleventsoutsideofthecontrolofcountyresidents.Alsocritical,itshowsthelossesenduredunderafarmeconomythatisgearedtoexportingcommoditiestodistantmarkets,whilelocalpeoplegohungry.
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Chart10:AdjustedSNAPreceipts,NetCashFarmIncome,andFarmSubsidiesinBlaineCounty,1969-2016
Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.InChart10,SNAPbenefitsarecomparedtonetcashincome:forfarmers.Tragically,thischartshowsthatduringseveralperiodsoverthepast48years,SNAPbenefitshavebeenalargerandmorereliablesourceoffoodincomeforBlaineCountythanfarmingwas.Whilefarmincomehasproducedsolidreturnsfromtimetotime,thisisbasedonsellingcommoditiesforexportratherthanfeedingBlaineCountyresidents.Perhapsmorecritically,ineveryyearupto2008,the200farmersofBlaineCountyreceivedmoreinfederalsubsidiesthanthe2,000lower-incomeresidentsoftheCountyreceivedthroughSNAPbenefits.FeedingAmericadata(Gunderson,etal.(2018)showthat2,230BlaineCountyresidentswerefoodinsecurein2016,arateof10.4%.16
16Gundersen,C.,A.Dewey,A.Crumbaugh,M.Kato&E.Engelhard.MaptheMealGap2018:AReportonCountyandCongressionalDistrictFoodInsecurityandCountyFoodCostintheUnitedStatesin2016.FeedingAmerica,2018.
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BlaineCountyfoodconsumptionBlaineCountyresidentspurchaseanestimated$63millionoffoodeachyear,$36millionofthistoeatathome.Table1showshowthisbreaksdownbycategoryoffooditemspurchasedforhomeuse.Table1:OverallFoodConsumptionbyBlaineCountyResidents
$millions
Meats,poultry,fish,andeggs 8Fruitsandvegetables 7Cerealsandbakeryproducts 4Dairyproducts 4Otherfoodathome 13Source:CalculationbyMeterusingBureauofLaborStatisticsConsumerExpenditureSurveyfor2015.Note,however,thatsincethesefiguresdrawuponaveragesforthewesternstates,actualfoodcostsinBlaineCountyarelikelytobehigher.Thesedatadonotcoverfoodexpendituresbyvisitors.
AnnualfoodconsumptionbyproductThetablebelowisbaseduponUSDAEconomicResearchService2015estimatesoffood“availability”onapercapitabasis.Thisisacalculationofhowmuchfoodwasproduced,imported,orexported,tocomeupwithanestimateofhowmucheachpersonconsumesinayear.The2017populationfromtheFederalCensuswasusedtocalculateBlaineCountyconsumptioninpounds.
Vegetables
PerCapitaAvailabilityPounds,2015
TotalPoundsRequiredforBlaine
County
Artichokes 1.4 30,834
Asparagus 1.65 36,340
Beans,Lima 0.0018 40
Beans,Snap 1.47 32,375
Broccoli 6.64 146,239
BrusselsSprouts 0.46 10,131
Cabbage 6.68 147,120
Carrots 8.47 186,543
Cauliflower 1.29 28,411
Celery 5.53 121,793
Cucumbers 7.4 162,978
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Eggplant 0.85 18,720
Escarole&Endive 0.17 3,744
Garlic 1.93 42,506
GreenPeas N/A
Greens,Collard 1.54 33,917
Greens,Mustard 0.39 8,589
Greens,Turnip 0.39 8,589
Kale 0.51 11,232
Lettuce:Head 14.46 318,467
Lettuce:Leaf&Romaine 10.78 237,419
Mushrooms 2.98 65,632
Okra 0.4 8,810
Onions 18.3 403,039
Peppers,Bell 10.69 235,437
Potatoes 33.5 737,804
Pumpkins 5.32 117,168
Radishes 0.48 10,572
Spinach 1.67 36,780
Squash 4.59 101,090
SweetCorn 7.63 168,043
SweetPotatoes 7.51 165,400
Tomatoes 20.5 451,492
Other N/A
Fruit
Grapefruit 2.43 53,518
Lemons 3.42 75,322
Limes 3.06 67,393
Oranges&Temples 9.35 205,924
Tangerines&Tangelos 5.04 111,001
Apples 18.94 417,135
Apricots 0.12 2,643
Avocados 6.52 143,596
Bananas 27.9 614,470
Blackberries 0.08 1,762
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Blueberries 1.54 33,917
Cantaloupe 6.99 153,948
Cherries 1.19 26,209
Cranberries 0.07 1,542
Dates 0.5 11,012
Figs 0.21 4,625
Grapes 7.72 170,025
Honeydew 1.65 36,340
Kiwi 0.51 11,232
Mangoes 2.5 55,060
Olives 0.88 19,381
Papayas 1.14 25,107
Peaches&Nectarines 3.26 71,798
Pears 2.87 63,209
Pineapple 7.18 158,132
Prunes&Plums 0.58 12,774
Raspberries 0.49 10,792
Strawberries 7.95 175,091
Watermelon 13.47 296,663
Grains
Barley 0.73 16,078
DurumFlour(2010data) 12 264,288
Oats 4.5 99,108
Rice(2010data) 20.4 449,290
Rye 0.5 11,012
WheatFlour 134.7 2,966,633
Dairy&Milk
FluidMilk&Cream 173.7 3,825,569
DryMilkProducts 3.6 79,286
Cheese 30.7 676,137
CottageCheese 2.1 46,250
Condensed&EvaporatedMilk 0.9 19,822
FrozenDairyProducts 21.9 482,326
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Eggs
Eggs 34.9 768,638
Meats
Beef 76.9 1,693,646
Veal 0.3 6,607
Pork 59.1 1,301,618
Lamb 1.1 24,226
Chickenstotal 97.5 2,147,340
Fish
Fresh/FrozenFishandShellfish 10.8 237,859
CannedFishandShellfish 3.3 72,679
CuredFishandShellfish 0.3 6,607
Nuts
Almonds 1.7 37,441
Hazelnuts(filberts) 24.8 546,195
Peanuts 7 154,168
Pecans(filberts) 0.5 11,012
PistachioNuts 0.2 4,405
Coconuts 0.9 19,822
Walnuts 0.4 8,810
OtherTreeNuts 1.2 26,429
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ClimateisnotthelimitingfactorSource:USDACensusofAgriculture,1930;2012Havingfewotheroptions,farmersinBlaineCountyproducedconsiderablefoodinaclimatethatwasmostlikelyharsherthantoday,andwithfarsimplertechnology.Notably,whilemostofthefarmsfocusedonexportingcommoditiessuchaswool,meat,andgrains,theCountyhadconsiderableabilitytofeeditself,especiallywithmilkandbutter.In1930,Countypopulationwas3,768.17In1930,therewere382farmsinBlaineCounty.Theyfarmedatotalof158,952acres(comparedto186farmersfarming179,130acresin2012).AllCountyfarmerscombinedsoldanaggregatetotalof$2.2millionofcropsandlivestockin1930(worth$29.8millionin2012dollars).Thatis,salesbyBlaineCountyfarmersin1930wereworth77%ofthetotalfarmproductsalesof$38.6millionmadebyBlaineCountyfarmersin2012,andtheseproductswereraisedon89%ofthelandbasecurrentfarmersuse.Countyfarmersraised22,142acresofhay,4,798acresofwheat,1,401acresofoats,1,377acresofbarley,18acresofrye,66acresofpotatoes,and12acresofvegetables.Vegetablesraisedcommerciallyincludedgreenbeans,cabbage,celery,sweetcorn,lettuce,onions,peas,potatoes,spinach,andtomatoes.87farms(23%)raisedvegetablesfortheirownuseathome.Fruitsraisedcommerciallyincludedapples,cherries,pears,plums,grapes,currants,gooseberries,raspberries,andstrawberries.344farms(90%)raisedlivestock(called“domesticanimals”intheCensussincetheywerevaluedforwhattheyproducedorthelabortheyperformedasmuchasfortheirsales).BlaineCountyfarmerssold$900,356ofsheep,$478,309ofcattle,and$128,610ofhorsesin1930,andalsosoldhogs,mules,chickens,turkeys,ducks,geese,andbees.Ofthese300(87%)milkedcows.Ofthe970,173gallonsofmilkthatwereproducedby55farms,only116,285gallons(12%)weresold.Ofthe39,282poundsofbutterthatwerechurnedby227farms,only5,149pounds(13%)weresold.Thismeantthatconsiderablefoodwasretainedbyfarmfamiliesfortheirownuseathome.Creamwasmoreregularlytraded,with190farms(63%ofthosewithlivestock)selling184,074pounds.Countyfarmersalsosold47,589dozeneggsin1930,and659,148poundsofwool.AttheendoftheCensusyear,thefollowinglivestockwerelivingonBlaineCountyfarms:124,900sheep&lambs,13,279chickens,9,625cattle,and2,962hogs.67(18%)countyfarmerssoldproductsthroughcooperativemarketingarrangements.
17worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties/id/blaine-county-population/