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Executive Summary
Southeast Iowa Food Hub (SEIFH) based in Fairf ield, Iowa Overview: The Southeast Iowa Food Hub, a non-‐profit service organization founded November, 2014 in Fairfield, IA. Designed to build capacity in the local organic food system. It coordinates regional farm production, aggregation, and distribution of local foods grown using organic practices. Purpose of the Organization: To encourage the production, efficient marketing, and distribution of foods that accommodate the preferences of local consumers who are seeking wholesome, nutritious foods produced in sustainable ways. Operations: Developing infrastructure and supporting network for consumers and farmers to nurture mutually-‐beneficial relationships that strengthen and diversify the local economy, strengthen the local community, and increase the ecological, social, and economic integrity of the food system. Target Market: Marketing from a regional aggregation Hub to regional institutions will give farmers an easier, less costly path to the food marketplace. The Food Hub will coordinate production among organic growers so that the buyers’ needs are met and producers consistently grow products that can be sold. Market Size: Jefferson County is building markets in the surrounding seven counties with a total population of 885,000. Within these counties, there are 20 hospital and health centers, and 10 universities and colleges. Within Fairfield, there are 5 large retail natural food grocers, 30 restaurants, and the potential for 200 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares. Business Model: Model includes cost reduction and community services through shared transportation, group purchases of farm supplies, use of the federal Experience Works Program for non-‐management staffing needs, and use of volunteers. Key Resources: Our most significant resource are our fourteen community leaders , who are volunteering their time . Key to this undertaking is our director’s experience in managing a 10-‐acre organic farm with 3 acres in greenhouse production. Our director comes with 5 years of regional marketing relationships with growers and retailers, including large food retailers such as Whole Foods, Hy-‐Vee Corporate, and Roundy’s. Other regional supporters and resources are the Leopold Center in Ames, the Iowa Association of Food Hubs, regional and local Hy-‐Vee store managers, regional health-‐food coop managers, Wapello County Board of Supervisors,
Sunnybrook Assisted Living, Maharishi University of Management (MUM), Everybody’s Whole Foods Market, the Golden Dome Market and the Fairfield Farmers Market. The SEIFH has agreements with 7 organic growers and 15 buyers so far and will continue to add both throughout season one. Management Team: Coordination of production (from farmers) and marketing (to retail grocers, restaurants, and institutions), as well as other operations, will be managed by the Food Hub Director, Barbara Stone. Oversight for the SE Iowa Food Hub Program is provided by the host organization, The Sustainable Living Coalition (SLC). SEIFH is Unique: Based on our project’s goal of expanding local organic acreage and markets by educating growers and consumers about the importance of sustainable organic practices, we are creating a model to encourage local farmers to transition to sustainable practices and to educate young farmers in organic methods. Given the above, the long-‐term gain includes increased food security in the face of droughts and extreme weather patterns across the country.