Local Food Fine Print

Our first podcast episode!In the Local Food Fine Print, we interview food buyers to learn how farmers can access their market and improve relations with buyers. The focus is on intermediate markets like co-ops, restaurants, food hubs, grocery stores, etc. Plus, we discuss details like insurance, pricing, food safety, and more.In this episode, I interview Jason of Bluff Country Co-op. We talk about produce availability in Southeast MN, what they do when a farmer's crop they were going to buy fails, selling produce to the co-op and how to start that conversation, quality requirements, and delivery schedules.Listen to it here.We would really appreciate your feedback on this episode via this short survey: https://z.umn.edu/lffp1.

In Episode 6, I continue the conversation with Colleen, Kitchen Manager at the Blue Heron in Winona, MN.The Blue Heron incorporates a lot of locally sourced produce and meat on their menu, we discuss communication, farmer check-ins, size specifications, pricing, deliveries, and sourcing.You can listen to the podcast here, on iTunes, or Stitcher.I'd also love your feedback, fill out a brief survey at this link: https://z.umn.edu/fineprint6.

In episode 5, I speak with Colleen, Kitchen Manager at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse in Winona, MN. The Blue Heron incorporates a lot of locally sourced produce and meat on their menu, and we discuss how local food fits in their business. We also discuss communication with farmers, initiating new business relationships, and local produce demand. Plus, a new feature this episode, “Three random questions”.You can listen to the podcast here, on iTunes, or Stitcher.If you listen, please provide your feedback via this short survey: https://z.umn.edu/fineprint5.

In the Local Food Fine Print, we interview food buyers to learn how farmers can access their market and improve relations with buyers. The focus is on intermediate markets like co-ops, restaurants, food hubs, grocery stores, etc. Plus, we discuss details like insurance, pricing, food safety, and more.In this episode, I continue the interview with Jason of Bluff Country Co-op. We discuss grade standards, packaging, PLU codes, pricing, common roadblocks to selling produce to the co-op, and you won't want to miss the produce battle.Listen to it here, you can find it on iTunes and Stitcher too.We would really appreciate your feedback on this episode via this short survey: https://z.umn.edu/lffp2.

In Episode three of the Local Food Fine Print, Nick of the Good Acre is interviewed about what the Good Acre is, talk about product demand, communication with growers, annual meetings, and how farmers can approach buyers about selling them produce.You can listen here, on iTunes, or Stitcher.We would really appreciate your feedback on this episode via this short survey: https://z.umn.edu/lffp3.

In episode 4, I continue our conversation with Nick of The Good Acre. We discuss negotiating price, the grower support they provide, volume requirements, liability insurance, food safety, roadblocks to entering the wholesale market, product specifications, and you won't want to miss the "produce battle".You can listen to the podcast here, on iTunes, or Stitcher.We discussed a resource for wholesale producers called "Wholesale Success", you can find information about it on the MISA website:https://www.misa.umn.edu/publications/cropsandsoils/wholesalesuccessWe would really appreciate your feedback on this episode via this short survey: https://z.umn.edu/lffp4.