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A push to "Buy Wisconsin, Buy Local"By Jenny Price
There's a growing push at the state Capitol to change that, including legislation to create and fund a statewide program called "Buy Wisconsin, Buy Local." The bill, sponsored by Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, aims to make 10 percent of food spending each year in Wisconsin go toward locally grown and made products. The program would get $550,000 a year to promote food and culture tourism trails and provide grants to help develop regional food networks. Supporters contend the effort would contribute nearly $2 billion a year to local economies by 2010. Less than 1 percent of all Wisconsin agricultural products are currently sold directly to consumers, despite the fact that food expenditures top $19 billion a year in the state, according to the program proposal. Backers of the idea also argue consumers will see benefits from buying food closer to home. Food travels an average of 1,500 miles from producer to consumer, according to the Crossroads Resource Center, a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis. The farther food has to travel, the more preservatives required, the more nutritional value is diminished and the more energy costs result, supporters of local food initiatives argue. The goal is to capitalize on a growing national trend among restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals and universities to rely on local food producers rather than sources halfway across the country or around the world. A recent survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association identified local produce as one of the top 20 culinary trends for 2007. The concept for Wisconsin's program emerged from discussions among farmers, industry groups and state agriculture officials looking to increase opportunities for products grown and produced locally in Wisconsin. Participants in the planning effort identified some obstacles impeding the sale and distribution of locally grown food, including: • A limited number of processing facilities that provide smaller run or batch processing. • The small number of U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved meat processing facilities. • Barriers to accessing institutional and state buying systems. • Lack of producer marketing expertise; and uncertainty about how to reach food buyers and "buy local" consumers. The proposed program is designed to develop and expand marketing, distribution and processing networks between food producers and potential customers — distributors, grocery stores and consumers. Another objective is increasing consumer awareness and access to diverse, high-quality local foods. Supporters say the program would help the state enhance existing programs including SavorWisconsin.com - which connects producers with consumers, retailers and restaurants - and Something Special from Wisconsin, a labeling program that tells shoppers they are buying a Wisconsin product. It could also build on local efforts like Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition, a nonprofit promoting a locally based food system by promoting member farms that serve south and southwest Wisconsin. There's evidence a buy local program could help Wisconsin seize an opportunity to grow its agricultural economy. A study from the Midwest Agribusiness Trade Research & Information Center at Iowa State University predicts per capita expenditures on fruits and vegetables will have the highest increases among all types of foods through 2020. And the center reported most consumers will prefer locally grown foods as they grow increasingly concerned about nutrition, safety, variety and convenience. At least eight other states have enacted buy local programs with similar goals. New York's "Pride of New York" program just marked its 10th anniversary and has more than 1,700 members, including growers, food processors, retailers, wineries and trade associations that support the state's agriculture. And in Vermont, the state began distributing free promotional materials, including stickers, to farmers, grocers and other retailers so they could trumpet their local origins to consumers. State agriculture officials there estimate that if Vermonters shifted 10 percent of their food spending to buying local, it would add $100 million to the state economy. There are signs the effort is working; a recent survey of participating farmers said they saw an increase in sales in the campaign's first three years. Jenny Price is a Madison freelance reporter. States' efforts to promote local foods and develop regional food systems Michigan: In 2005, the governor issues an executive directive to reform state policy to increase purchases from Michigan farmers and businesses. State agency purchases of Michigan products increased 85 percent in the program's first year. California: Legislation proposed to establish the California Fresh Start Pilot Program that encourages public K-12 schools to promote the consumption of nutritious fruits and vegetables; also would give priority to California producers when purchasing produce. Washington: Created a direct marketing assistance program to help small farms with direct marketing regulations; promotes localized food production systems; increases access to information for farmers pursuing direct sales to consumers; and assists in developing and submitting grant proposals. New York: In 2005, the state legislature funded a $1 million agri-tourism initiative, allowing food- and farm-related businesses such as produce stands, farmers markets, cider mills, maple sugar processors, cheese makers and wineries a chance to attract tourists and generate income. The program provides up to $50,000 in matching funds to conduct agriculture-related tourism projects across the state. Pennsylvania: Proposed bill calls for training teachers on nutrition and agriculture education and would award grants to individual schools to procure local produce and implement the educational aspects of the program. Vermont: Launched its "Buy Local, 10% Difference" campaign in 2003 in an effort to shift 10 percent of consumer food dollars from imported foods to foods produced in Vermont. State officials developed Buy Local stickers and other materials and gave them to grocers and farmers free of charge so they could put the spotlight on locally grown foods. Source: Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Program Proposal jenny.price@gmail.com madison.com ©2009 Capital Newspapers. All rights reserved. |
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