2. Growing Healthy Communities and Economies Through Northeast Kansas Specialty Crops Goals: Increase sales of and marketing channels for local produce; Heighten food buyer awareness of farmers and available products.

3. Crome’s Market, Marysville Atchison Blue Rapids Hiawatha Marysville

4. Gator’s Hometown Foods, Blue Rapids

5. Hiawatha Thriftway, Hiawatha

6. Evaluating the Local Food System of Manhattan KS and Identifying Market Opportunities for Producers with Retail Grocers, Schools, and Hospitals (2013) Angela Anegon, Graduate Student Urban Food Systems Specialization KSU, Dept. of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources Email: anegon@ksu.edu Phone: (208)-305-5067 Candice Shoemaker Ph.D., Faculty Advisor Professor, Horticulture and Human Health Director, Graduate Studies in Horticultural Therapy and Urban Food Systems KSU, Dept. of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources Email: cshoemak@ksu.edu Phone: (785)-532-1431

7. (n = 92)

9. 58 out of the 92 respondents chose to answer question regarding their marketing outlets. 44 27 22 20

12. Six Produce Managers: Ray’s Apple Market (2) East/West Side Market People’s Grocery Hy-Vee Dillon’s Headquarters Most use KC-based distributor All but Dillon’s have purchased directly from farmer

13. Greatest concern: Food Safety Needs: Uniform quality & ripeness Clean & well-packaged Appropriate quantities Good communication & trust with producer Not interested in wholesaler/middleman for local purchases. Reason? Likely increase in price.

14. Five Food Service Managers: Three School Districts University Dining Hospital Most use national/KC distributor Most schools use bid system Hospital must use Sodexho- approved vendors Only University has purchased directly from farmer

15. Greatest concern: Price Needs: Appropriate volume & consistent supply Minimal processing Delivery on specific days Good communication & trust with producer

16. Scaling-Up: Perspectives from Growers and Buyers on Barriers and Benefits to Wholesale Marketing of Local Fruits and Vegetables (Oct. 2012) The report summarizes interviews with 15 Iowa growers and 12 wholesale buyers with experience in the local produce wholesale market www.practicalfarmers.org/assets/files/news/a rticle_12oct26.pdf‎

17. Generate sales of local foods by developing and disseminating crucial information; Build capacity and help meet the demand for local produce by providing technical assistance to farmers and buyers; Foster new relationships between farmers and food businesses while enhancing their communication with one another; Document current barriers to the local food wholesale market and suggest improvements. Connecting the Dots of the Local Food Wholesale Market in Kansas

18. Tomorrow! Case Study: Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative Blog! Starting an Online Food Cooperative foodhubsandco-ops.blogspot.com/