Group Post List

Local Buying Groups

Mark Newton's picture

Hello Everyone,

I have heard rumor that some local restaurants are organizing into a buying group to take advantage of large load discounts with vendors such as Roth Produce and Michaels Meats.

I would think that if these gorups also approached the produce auctions and other collaboratives they could easily make the loads more efficient for the growers to get to the area.

Who would actually go to the auctions to purchase and assure quality product?

Delivery will always be a point of concern in these partnerships, refrigerated trucks etc.

Slaughterhouse on Wheels in Lopez Island, WA

Leah Miller's picture

September 5, 2008 Wall Street Journal has article about a "slaughterhouse on wheels" on Lopez Island, Washington.  The farmers formed the Island Grown Farmers Cooperative to manage the abattoir. This mobile abattoir opened custom butching options to the small and local farms.  It is the first mobile slaughterhouse to sanctioned by USDA.  The unit handles sheep, pigs and beef.  A diesel truck pulls 8 by 12 foot trailer fitted with sink, water tank and cooling locker.  The trailer is used 3 to 4 times a week with a butcher and inspector.  It is bringing the infrastruc

Lean, as in efficient, principles applied to food systems

Casey Hoy's picture

Manufacturing has developed some principles that can be applied to local food systems.  The point is not that we're interested in producing more food widgets, its that efficiency (energy, water, nutrients, etc.) is very important in the design, operation and ultimate success.  Here's an example of application of these principles from the OSU Fisher College of Business.  And kudos to Thom Stevenson and Chef Mark Newton for bringing this expertise to the table.  An excerpt:

"Greg Leach's project could help farmers across Ohio.

Information needs for developing local food systems

David Reed's picture

Attached is a document that presents objectives for gathering information needed in the analysis and design of a local food system.  It also presents a list of specific information needs, and methods to obtain that data.  This document is under consideration by food planning groups in Gainesville, Florida.  We are actively discussing GIS, distribution systems, planning resources, ways to collaborate vs. parallel initiatives,  limiting factors, education, funding issues, and many other factors.

Supply chain and technology

sam@earle.com's picture

This is my first time on here since PASA, so am trying to figure it out. Here is what I am interested in:

I beleive global food system efficiencies such as technology can be used to address problems of local food economies and make them a larger part of the local food economy as a whole.

I beleive this will be a non linear system such as the internet (and this networking tool), as opposed to the old supply chain linear model. "Distributed supply chain mangment"

Thank you Jamie Oliver for your Food Revolution!!!!!

OrganicFreshFingers's picture

 Hello!

Attached please find my un-professional “so long I needed to pull the plug on myself” rant/video!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNv-veKyDTE

I felt compelled to quickly tell Jamie how much I appreciate his work and how impressed I am with his courage and willingness to help our children with his Food Revolution.

Evann

Help local staple foods effort win $25,000

AppStaple's picture

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Hi Everyone-<br />
Guess what? We entered a contest for green entrepreneurship that will award us $25,000 if we win first prize.&nbsp; To get to the level where we are judged we need your help.<br />
Here&#39;s how-<br />
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Bookmark this URL--<a href="https://www.thegreenawards.com/Default.aspx?v=105">https://www.thegreena... />
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Open it every day and vote between now and March 27 and vote (you&#39;ll see a white screen before it starts loading).</li>