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Local procurement policies for small institutions, particularly educational institutions, are a current opportunity to establish local food systems and position them for growth into other markets. This group will help to facilitate and connect the efforts of those working on Farm to Institutional connections. Two Stinner Summit projects revolve around this opportunity and are described in more detail below.

Steps proposed to develop local food systems for institutional food service at the Leap into Local Foods Workshop, a project developed at the 1st Annual Stinner Summit, include: 1) Create networks between growers and institutional administrators; 2) Form grower cooperative marketing systems; 3) Engage chefs and institutions in educating the consumer about local products; 4) Overcome seasonality and supply issues; 5) Step up from private to public universities, and other large institutions such as health care, large manufacturing companies, etc. to change vendor and payment requirements and protocols in ways that promote local producers.

A project developed at the 6th Annual Stinner Summit to further this work was focused on College Farm to Institution (supported with $3,100 from the Stinner Endowment, plus many commitments of other capitals). Goals included: empowering students to play a central role in food production, campus dining, and food culture on campus; Students as gatekeepers for: menu development, farm design and workforce, classroom research (campus living laboratory); OSU Dining as purchaser: Pilot effort with hoophouse lettuce and tomatoes, branding OSU healthy foods, possibly key in on RPAC Cafe with health and fitness focus, Wexner Center Heirloom Cafe with Chef ’s Garden on site; Budget: Funds for a participatory gathering of stakeholders (growers, sellers, cafes, dining halls, students), and for a pilot project; Participants: Rural Action, OSU Dining, OSU related departments, OSU Office of Sustainability; Partner with K-12 program for sustainable local foods on campus.

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David Reed
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Elsa Higby
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