community food system strategic plan

WoodRiverRanch PhotobyKenMeter,2018

CommunityFoodSystemStrategicPlan

KenMeterCrossroadsResourceCenter

fortheSunValleyInstituteLocalFoodAlliance

CoveringtheWoodRiverValleyRegion:

IncludingBlaineCounty,CamasCounty,&MagicValleyStakeholders

April15,2019(RevisionsmadetoFebruary12versionatrequestofTheHungerCoalition;seepp.18,30,33)

CrossroadsResourceCenter

7415HumboldtAveS/Minneapolis,Minnesota55423/[email protected] www.crcworks.org

ToolsforCommunitySelf-determination

StrategicPlanforWoodRiverValleyRegionCommunityFoodSystem—KenMeter2019

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ExecutiveSummaryInordertoimprovetheefficacyofongoingcommunityfoodsinitiativesintheWoodRiverValleyRegion,theSunValleyInstituteforResiliencecommissionedthisStrategicPlanin2018.TodeveloptheStrategicPlan,CrossroadsResourceCentercompiledeconomicresearchcoveringBlaineCountyandtheWoodRiverValleyregion,andinterviewed61foodsystemleadersidentifiedbytheLocalFoodAllianceandtheBlaineCountyFoodCouncil.Itthenanalyzedthesefindingstodevelopashortlistofactionpriorities,whicharedescribedbelow.PreliminarydatawerepresentedtopublicmeetingsataBlaineCountyFoodCouncilworkshopinMay,2018,andattheSunValleyInstitute’sSunValleyForuminAugust,2018.Thesemeetingsalsohelpedtoidentifykeyissuestobeaddressed,andkeyleaderstobeinterviewed.StakeholderinterviewswereheldinNovemberandDecemberof2018.Mostwereheldin-person,withafewbytelephoneasneeded.Intervieweeswereaskedtodescribetheirworkwithinthecommunityfoodsystem,andalsotoidentifythekeystrengthsandlimitationstheyexperiencedincommunityfoodswork.Further,eachwasaskedtooffertheirinsightsintotheobstaclespreventingcommunityfoodsworkfromflourishing,aswellaskeyopportunitiestheysawforadvancingthiswork.PurposeofthisStrategicPlanTostrengthencommunity-basedfoodsystemsintheWoodRiverValleyRegion(IncludingBlaineCounty,CamasCounty,theMagicValley,andnearbyareas).DefinitionACommunity-BasedFoodSystemcreatessystemsofexchangethatstrivetobringfoodproducersandfoodconsumersintoaffinitywitheachother1forthepurposeofbuildinghealth,wealth,connection,andcapacityintheregion.GeographyCoveredCurrently,nocleargeographicalidentityexistsfortheregioncoveredbythisreport.Forlackofabetterterm,wecallthistheWoodRiverValleyRegion.WedefinethistoincludealloftheWoodRiverValley,therestofBlaineCounty,CamasCounty,andpartsoftheMagicValley.WhilethisareaencompassesmostofthefarmlandthatisclosesttoWoodRiverValleyconsumers,andisofcriticalimportancetosupplyingthemwithfood,thisinitiativealsoseekstofosterproductionoffoodonWRVRfarmsforallconsumersintheregion,aswellasthegrowthofsocialandcommercialnetworksthatwillbuildfinancialtrade,mutualrespect,andtrustamongallmembersoftheregion.Forsakeofsimplicity,however,sincenocountyboundariespreciselyidentifythisregion,muchoftheeconomicandhealthdatacompiledcoverBlaineCountyalone.1Meter,Ken(2007).“EvaluatingFarmandFoodSystemsintheUS.”SystemsConceptsinEvaluation:AnExpertAnthology.AmericanEvaluationAssociationMonographpublishedbyEdgePressofInverness.


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Overtime,asthisStrategicPlanisimplementedandregionalbrandingeffortstakeroot,theRegionmaytakeonitsownuniqueidentity,perhapsembracinganamethatreflectsthebroaderlandscape—perhapsusinganamesuchasthe“Tri-ValleyRegion.”Keygoalsoftheplan:

1. EnsurethatallresidentsoftheWoodRiverValleyRegion(WRVR)haveaccesstohealthyfoodsproducedonBlaineCounty(BC),CamasCounty(CC),andMagicValley(MV)farms.

2. Ensurethatfarmersarewellcompensatedfortheirwork,andthatfoodisaffordabletoallconsumersintheregion.

3. EngageWoodRiverValley,BlaineCounty,CamasCounty,andMagicValleystakeholdersinincreasinglystrongercollaborationsthatbuildeffectivesocialandcommercialnetworks.Inparticular,farmersandconsumersshouldbuildmutualtrustandstrongerconnectionswitheachother.

4. Buildthecapacitiesofresidentsandbusinessesintheregiontogrowfood,eatinhealthyways,andeffectivelymanagesocialandcommercialnetworksasconditionschange.

5. Createasolidtrackrecordofaccomplishments.6. Buildinfrastructurethatcreatesnewefficienciesincommunityfoodtradeandfosters

long-termpartnerships.KeyAssets:

• TheWoodRiverValleyRegionholdsastrongheritageoffarming• TheRegion’sresidents“havethemindsettoeathealthier,locallyraisedfood”• Ketchum/SunValleyhasanexceptionalcoreofdonorswhohaveinvestedinthe

broadercommunityKeyWeaknesses:

• Prevailingfoodinfrastructurestronglyfavorsfoodimportsandexportsovercommunityfoodtrade

• Goodpeoplewithsolidvisionareworkingseparatelyratherthancollaboratively• Althoughresidentsknoweachotherandarefriendlytoeachother,genuine

collaborationislimited.Moreneedstobeaccomplished• Muchofthecommunityfoodsactivityhasengagedonlyhigher-incomeresidents

KeyObstacles:

• Inequality• Lackofcollaborationorcommunication:“Everyoneisalwaysdoingtheirownthing”

KeyOpportunities:• WoodRiverValleyRegionhasenoughland,wealth,andconsumerpurchasingtobuilda

strongcommunityfoodsystem• PrioritizeprojectsthatwillstrengthentrustandcollaborationamongValley

stakeholders• EngageallresidentsofWoodRiverValleyRegionincommunityfoodsefforts


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• WorkcollaborativelytoleverageTheHungerCoalition’sexpansion• Buildadistributionnetworkappropriatetotheleveloffarmproduction• Buildcoldstorageonwholesalingfarms(couldbebuiltbylocalfarmers)• BuildwarehousespaceandcoldstorageinHailey/Bellevue

KeyElementsofthisWorkPlan(Eachisexplainedingreaterdetailinthedraft)

1.Unifycommunityfoodscoordination2.BrandtheWoodRiverValleyRegionwithaninclusivevision3.FormalizetheWRVRWholesaleProducePartnership(WPP)4.SolidifythestatusoftheWoodRiverFarmers’Markets

Kraay’sMarket&Garden(Bellevue) PhotobyKenMeter,2018


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TableofContents

EXECUTIVESUMMARY.............................................................................................................2

LISTOFTHOSEINTERVIEWED...................................................................................................6

COMMUNITYFOODTRADEPERSISTS.......................................................................................8JUDY,FRED,ANDCOOPERBROSSYINVESTFORTHELONGHAUL...............................................................8ATKINSONS’MARKETINVESTSINCOMMUNITYCONNECTIONS...............................................................10COMMUNITYSCHOOLINGSPAWNSNEWFARMING...............................................................................12LONG-TERMFARMFAMILYLAUNCHESANEWGRAINBUSINESS...............................................................13COFFEEGROWSFROMACULTURALTAPROOT.....................................................................................15SETTLINGBACKHOMETOGROWFOODOVERTHELONGWINTERS...........................................................15KRAAY’SMARKET&GARDENDELIVERSDIRECTTOHOUSEHOLDS...........................................................17THEHUNGERCOALITIONPROVIDESFOODRELIEF;RAISESAWARENESS....................................................18

CONCLUSIONSFROMOURRESEARCH....................................................................................18ECONOMICTRENDSAREWORRISOME................................................................................................19KEYCONCERNSRAISEDININTERVIEWS..............................................................................................21KEYSTRENGTHS,WEAKNESSES,OBSTACLES,ANDOPPORTUNITIESIDENTIFIEDINOURINTERVIEWS..............23THECHOICETHEWOODRIVERVALLEYREGIONFACES..........................................................................24KEYOPPORTUNITIES.......................................................................................................................27

KEYELEMENTSOFTHISWORKPLAN......................................................................................271.UNIFYCOMMUNITYFOODSCOORDINATION....................................................................................272.BRANDTHEWOODRIVERVALLEYREGION(WRVR)WITHANINCLUSIVEVISION...................................323.WRVRWHOLESALEPRODUCEPARTNERSHIP(WPP).......................................................................374.SOLIDIFYTHESTATUSOFWOODRIVERFARMERS’MARKETS.............................................................43ADDITIONALINITIATIVESCURRENTLYUNDERWAY:................................................................................46

APPENDIXA:QUALITIESOFTHEEXISTINGCOMMUNITY-BASEDFOODSYSTEM.....................54STRENGTHS&ASSETSOFTHEREGION’SCOMMUNITYFOODSYSTEM:....................................................54WEAKNESSESOFTHECOMMUNITYFOODSYSTEM:..............................................................................57OBSTACLESTOSTRENGTHENINGTHECOMMUNITYFOODSYSTEM:.........................................................60OPPORTUNITIESFORSTRENGTHENINGTHECOMMUNITYFOODSYSTEM:.................................................61

APPENDIXB:ECONOMICDATA..............................................................................................66BLAINECOUNTYFOODCONSUMPTION..............................................................................................76ANNUALFOODCONSUMPTIONBYPRODUCT.......................................................................................76CLIMATEISNOTTHELIMITINGFACTOR...............................................................................................80


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ListofThoseInterviewedWearedeeplyindebtedtothefollowing61peoplewhodonatedtheirtime,expertise,andinsightstohelpusunderstandconditionsintheWoodRiverValley,MagicValley,andBlaineandCamasCounties.Eachtoldusabouttheircontributionstothecommunityfoodsystem,assessedthestrengths,weaknesses,opportunities,andobstaclestheyencountered,andsuggestednextstepstotake.Ourthankstoall.FirstName LastName Position Organization LocationPeter Atkinson Owner Atkinsons’Market KetchumWhit Atkinson Owner Atkinsons’Market KetchumBrian Bean Owner LavaLakeLamb HaileyTammara Beck CFO 1,000SpringsMill BuhlSara Berman Owner SquashBlossomFarm BellevueScott Boettger ExecutiveDirector WoodRiverLandTrust HaileyCooper Brossy Owner Ernie’sOrganics ShoshoneFred Brossy Owner Ernie’sOrganics ShoshoneAlex Buck Co-owner TheWarfield KetchumMark Caraluzzi Owner IntrepidCuisine KetchumAimée Christensen ExecutiveDirector SunValleyInstitute KetchumPhil Christensen Owner OldAlmoCreamery AlmoTim Cornie Owner 1,000SpringsMill BuhlMark Davidson Director,

ConservationInitiatives

TheNatureConservancy Hailey

Sara Dorland ManagingPartner Ceres SunValleyRich Feucht Owner PrairieWindsHeritage

FarmFairfield

Bryan Fletcher BusinessManager BlaineCountySchoolDistrict

Hailey

Jamon Frostenson Owner Loganics FairfieldMark George Founder 1%forBlaine KetchumChristina Giordani Owner DirtRoadProductions KetchumLauren Golden ExtensionEducator IdahoExtension HaileyHarry Griffith ExecutiveDirector SunValleyEconomic

DevelopmentKetchum

Josh Hale Co-Owner ElkhornRanchSouth MackayMike Heath Owner M&MHeathFarm BuhlBryan Hostetler Volunteer Kraay’sMarket&Garden BellevueBob Howard Coordinator DesertMountainGrass

FedBeefHammett

Julie Johnson Owner NourishMe KetchumJeff Jones ProduceBuyer Atkinsons’Market KetchumNate Jones Owner King’sCrownOrganics KingHillChris Kastner Owner CK’sRealFood HaileyJohn Klimes Owner AgrarianHarvest BuhlLarry Kraay Owner Kraay’sMarket&Garden BellevueSherry Kraay Owner Kraay’sMarket&Garden BellevueMatt Luck Owner PrideofBristolBay Ketchum


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Spence Mallett Owner NeighborhoodNourishment

TwinFalls

Wayne Marshall Owner PureWatersOrganicFarm BuhlAmy Mattias Co-Director LocalFoodAlliance HaileyAl McCord Owner WoodRiverSustainability

CenterHailey

Brooke McKenna DirectorofOperations

TheHungerCoalition Bellevue

Lindsay Mollineaux MarketManager Kraay’sMarket&Garden BellevueAspen Moon Owner BusinessConsultant BuhlMatt Moran Owner MorningstarArisingFarm BellevueBill Pereira Owner BigChiefOrganics BellevueGino Petosa AssistantGeneral

ManagerCharlie’sProduce Boise

Pat Purdy Owner PicaboLivestockCompany PicaboCallie Raspberry Owner Raspberry’sRestaurant KetchumJames Reed Owner OnsenFarm BuhlTerry Reynolds ProduceBuyer Atkinsons’Market HaileyMatt Robinson Manager KonditoreiBakery&Café SunValleyAlex Sanchez Owner OasisMarketFarm BuhlLarry Schoen Commissioner BlaineCounty HaileyBruce Seguin ProduceBuyer Atkinsons’Market BellevueDuane Sorensen FoodService

DirectorBlaineCountySchoolDistrict

Hailey

Brett Stevenson Owner HillsideRanchFlour&Grain

Bellevue

Sean Temple HeadChef TheWarfield&TheElevatedTable

Ketchum

Winn Weaver Owner Winn’sCompost HaileyHarry Weekes ExecutiveDirector TheSageSchooland

QuigleyFarmHailey

Stacy Whitman Co-Director LocalFoodAlliance HaileyMatt Williams Owner WaterwheelGardens EmmettEd Zinader Owner SquashBlossomFarm BellevueKatie Zubia Owner,&

BoardPresidentWoodRiverRanchBeef,&WoodRiverFarmers’Market

Bellevue


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CommunityFoodTradepersistsFordecades,residentsoftheWoodRiverValleyRegionhavebeenforgingacommunity-basedfoodsystemagainstgreatodds.Althoughalloftheincentivesofferedbytheprevailingfoodsystemfavorimportingoffood,andwhiletheMagicValleyhasemergedasoneoftheprimaryfood-exportingregionsoftheU.S.,doggedresidentshavebuiltfoodtradethatcreatedstrongercommunitycohesion.

CooperBrossy,Ernie’sOrganics(Shoshone) PhotobyKenMeter,2018

Judy,Fred,andCooperBrossyinvestforthelonghaulOneofmanyearlypioneerswasJudyBrossy,whobegangrowingorganicproduceformarket25yearsago,longbeforeitbecamepopular.Shepainstakinglygrewvegetableswithoutusingsyntheticchemicals,whileherhusbandFredfollowedorganicpracticesinraisingrowcrops.Theircustomersvaluedthesuperiorqualityofwhattheyharvested.TheBrossysalsoconstructedhightunnelsthatallowedthemtoextendtheirgrowingseasoninachallengingclimate.TheybeganbyhaulingtheirproducetotheWoodRiverValleythemselves,sellingdirectlytorestaurantsandattheearlyformoftheHaileyFarmersmarket.YetJudyalsorealizedthatifmorepeopleweretohaveaccesstothesehealthyfoods,Ketchumneededaplacewherefarmersandtheircustomerscouldmeet.Sosheandothergrowersorganizedafarmers’marketinKetchumwiththecollaborationoftheAtkinsonbrotherswhoprovidedthespaceandadvertising.ShealsowasafoundingmemberoftheSouthIdahoLandTrust,knowingthatfarmland,conservationland,andopenspacemustbeprotectedifpeopleweregoingtobeabletoenjoyahighqualityoflifeinthefuture.UltimatelythatknowledgeresultedintheBrossysplacingthefarmintoapermanentconservationeasementusingthe


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NRCSFederalFarmandRanchlandProtectionProgram.Thisprogramensuresthelandwillbefarmlandforever.Judyisnolongerfarming.WhenIinterviewedFredBrossyinNovember,Iaskedhimwhatgotthefamilystartedraisingorganicfoods.Hechuckledandleanedbackinhischair.“Foryears,Iknewwehadtodoit.”Heunderstooditwasimportantbothforthehealthofthesoilandforthefamily’spersonalhealth.“ButIdidn’thavethecourage.”Eventhoughhisemployeratthetimewouldhavepaidhimtoconverttoorganicproduction,Fredfeltthetugofremainingtruetothefarmingprocedureshegrewupwith.Therewasnodramaticmomentwhenherealizedhewasgoingtochange,hesaid.“Atonepoint,Ijustknewitwastime.”FredcountsMikeHeathandNateJonesasimportantmentorsinhelpinghimgetorganicproductionestablished.“Theswitchtoorganiccropswouldnothavebeennearlyassmoothwithoutthehelpofsomereallygoodfriendsandmentorswhohelpedmegetstarted….Twenty-oddyearsin,wecontinuetohelpeachotherregularly.”Today,FredandhissonCooperraisepotatoes,softwhitewheat,alfalfa,ediblebeans,andnumerousvarietiesofbeanandothervegetableseedforgardenersattheir300-acrefarmnearShoshone.ThefarmisnamedErnie’sOrganicsaftertheland’spreviousowner.WhenJudyretired,theproducebusinesstookabackseat.TheirfavoredasparagusfieldsneartheLittleWoodRivernowstandidle,inlargepartbecausethecroprequiresconsiderablelabor.YetFredandCooperstillraiseotherseedcropsusingmechanicalplantersandharvestequipment.WhenPotatoGrowermagazinefeaturedtheirfarminacoverstoryinNovember,2018,themagazinenotedthatthe20-35acresoflandthefamilydevotestopotatoescanaccountforasmuchasone-quarterofthefarm’sincome.TheBrossysarequicktopointoutthatthesuccessoftheirfarmisdueinlargeparttothesupportoftheirneighbors—eventhosewhovolunteertodrivetrucksduringharvestseason.“ProbablythebiggestreasonIfarmisthechancetoworkalongsidefamilyandfriends,”CoopertoldPotatoGrower.Fredaddedthatsustainingthefarmhasinvolveddeepchallenges.“Forpeopleoursize,itiseasierjusttosendourproductsawayonasemi-truck.ButdoingthatjustcontributestothecolonialeconomythatIdahoisbasedon.Wehavetogettowherewedon’timportsomuchfood.”Yethealsorecognizedthatthisposesdilemmas.“Wearealreadystretchedwithwhatwedo.Toshifttosmallerscalevegetableproductionsowecanmeetlocalneedsisalogisticalchallengeforus.Itishardtobalancethetwooperations.MarketgardeningisthetoughestbusinessIknow.Itishardtohirehelp.Howdowepaythem?”Yet,asFredtoldPotatoGrower,theextraefforthaspaidoff.Thefamilyrecentlydecidedtomodifythefarm’smissionstatementsothatitprioritizesqualityoflife.“Organicfarmingisabiologicalsystem,muchmorethanjustinputsubstitution.Wecan’tbuymorefarmlandaroundus;we’rekindofhemmedinbylavafieldshere.Sowe’vegottomakethelandwefarmbetter.Itfeelsprettygoodtoknowthatthankstotheconservationeasement,thisplacewillremainafarmforever.”


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Fredadded,however,thathecanenvisionthefarmmakinganevenstrongerimpactonthecommunity.“Itwouldbeniceifthelocalfooddistributionwasn’tjustfortheelite.”2

Atkinsons’MarketinBellevue PhotobyKenMeter,2018

Atkinsons’MarketinvestsincommunityconnectionsFredBrossynotedthatassoonastheKetchumfarmers’marketbeganoperation,ithadanimpactonneighboringbusinesses.OneofthosefirmswasAtkinsons’Market,locatedacrossthestreetfromtheFarmers’Market.“Peoplewouldbuy2-3itemsfromus,andthenwalkovertoAtkinsons’tocontinuetheirshopping.”Asanindependentgroceryownedbyalocalfamily,theAtkinsonswerequicktodiscoverthattheybenefittedfromthissynergy.“Yes,ourproducesalesdippedabit”whenthefarmers’marketopened,WhitAtkinsonsaid,“butwemadeitupinothersalesbecauseourtrafficincreased.”So,whentheKetchumfarmers’marketmovedfromitsinitiallocationonFourthStreettoTownSquare,theAtkinsonsgaveupsomeoftheirparkingaccess.Thatspothadactuallybeencriticaltothegrocer’shistory.Inthesummerof1983,afterafiredamagedthestore,thefamilyoperatedaproducetentonthesamelotthatoperateduntiltheycouldreopenthestoreinDecember.

2ThissectiondrawsuponMarchant,Tyrell(2018).“LittlePieceofHeaven:Ernie’sOrganicsinShoshone,Idaho.”PotatoGrower.GroweroftheMonth.Nov6.ViewedDecember24,2018athttps://www.potatogrower.com/


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InitscurrentlocationAtkinsons’MarkethasdedicatedshelfspacefeaturingproducefromIdahofarmsandlocallyraisedmeats.WhitAtkinsontoldmeinNovemberthat“Ialwaystriedtobuylocally.Wewillcommittoyou[thegrower]ifyoucommittous.”PeterAtkinsonadded,“Whenweputlocalstuffontheshelves,itsells.”ThegrocerypurchasespotatoesfromafarmintheMagicValley,applesandstonefruitsfromafarmwestofBoise,andfeaturesIdahocantaloupe,watermelon,sweetcorn,squash,tomatoeswhentheycangetthem.Atkinsons’alsoregularlypurchasesgreensfromSquashBlossomfarm(seebelow),describingthefarm’sco-ownersSaraBermanandEdZinaderasfamilyfriends.Whitadded,“OurpurchasesfromSaradoubledin2018.”Atkinsons’alsoregularlydonatessurplusproducetoTheHungerCoalition.Still,boththegroceryfamilyandtheregion’sfarmersagreethatmorecouldbedone.TheAtkinsonswishthatfarmerscoulddelivertotheirthreestoresinBellevue,Hailey,andKetchummoreoften,whilefarmerswouldlovetohavethegrocerordermoreproducts.Thebarriersarecomplex,involvingthescaleofproduction,foodsafetyand/ororganiccertification,liabilityinsurance,warehousingspace,anddistribution.TheAtkinsonspointedoutthatithasbeentheirconnectiontocommunitythatallowedthemtosustaintheirbusinesssince1956,whenChuckAtkinsonopenedtheKetchumstoreinaformergamblingcasino.Itwasastepthefamilycouldnottakeonitsown,soChucksoughtotherinvestors.PrimaryinvestorswereGeorgeandPeggyKneeland,theSunValleyGuidereportedin2007,aswellastheKilpatrickbrotherswhohadhiredChucktoruntheircombinationgrocerystoreandgasstationinPicabosince1942.Chuck’sgrandsonChiptoldtheGuidethatthestore’sopeningwasmetwithconsiderableskepticism.“Everybodysaid,‘Oh,theywon’tlastayear,’”herecalled.YetAtkinson’shasnowgrowntothreelocationsincludingstoresinHaileyandBellevue,andhasweatheredintensecompetitionwell.WhitAtkinsontoldtheGuidethatonekeyelementofthestore’ssurvivalisthatthefamilyhasalwaysowneditsstorelocations.Hetoldthemagazinethatbuyingone’spropertyis“critical.”“Youhavetocontrolyourdestiny.Thevalueofrealestate(here)isnotbasedonreality.”Yetevenmorestaunchly,thefamilyprotectsitsrelationshipswithitscustomers.ChiptoldtheGuide,“Whenit’sbusy,Idon’tcarewhatyourpositionis,you’rehereforthepeople.” Chipadded,“It’srealimportanttobeverygenerousinwhatwegivebacktothecommunity.”HetoldtheSunValleyGuidethatthefamilydonatesroughly$200,000ofcasheveryyear,andtensofthousandsmoreindonatedfoods.TheGuidereportedthat“Localcharities,includingtheSunValleySummerSymphony,theSunValleyCenterfortheArts’WineAuctionandnumerouschildren’sprogramshavebenefitedfromtheAtkinsons’support.”WhitAtkinsontoldGuidereporterRebeccaMeany,“That’sthedutyofanindependent,family-ownedbusiness.“Ifthere’sanystrengthtoanindependentbusiness,it’sthatthey’reconnectedtotheircommunity.”Chipaddedthat70percentofthefirm’scustomersremainveryloyal. AmongtheAtkinsonfamilycontributionswashelpingtolaunchtheCommunitySchoolincollaborationwithmanyotherfamiliesintheValley.WhitandSusie’sson,Peter,attendedthisschool;henowservesasafourth-generationmanagerofthegroceryfirm.Aspartofthe


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interviewprocessforthisstrategicplan,Peterconvenedthethreeproducebuyersforthefirm’sthreestorestodiscusswhatwasneededtostrengthenthecommunityfoodsystemintheWoodRiverValley.3

SaraBermanandEdZinader,SquashBlossomFarm(Bellevue) PhotobyKenMeter,2018

CommunityschoolingspawnsnewfarmingAnothergraduateoftheCommunitySchoolisHarryWeekes.Weekesnotesthathevaluedhiseducationthere,butultimatelydecidedhewantedtocreateanevenmoreexpansiveeducationalopportunity.HeisnowexecutivedirectorofTheSageSchoollocatedneartheHaileyairport.AmongthegraduatesofCommunitySchoolisSaraBerman,whofoundacallingasafarmerduringhertimethere.ShemanagedtheSageSchool’sgreenhouseoperationforeightyears,andthendecidedtolaunchherownone-acrefarm,SquashBlossomFarm,withherpartnerEdZinader.AWoodRiverValleynativewhoiswellconnectedtoTheSageSchool,Sarawasabletorapidlyconnectwithmorethan50ValleyhouseholdsthatpurchaseCSAsharesfromSquashBlossomFarm.ThecouplealsosellstheirproduceattheKetchumfarmers’market,andsuppliesseveralrestaurantsaswellasKraay’sMarket&Garden.OneofherprimarycustomersisAtkinsons’Market—bringingalong-termreturntotheAtkinsonfamily’sinvestmentinschooling.“Theyhavebeensoflexiblewithus.Theybuyourproductwheneverwehaveit,”Saraadded.

3ThissectiondrawsuponMeany,Rebecca(2007).“FiftyYearsofFamily.”SunValleyGuide.Winter.ViewedDecember24,2018atwww.svguide.com/w07/w07_50yearsoffamily.htm


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Carryingthisinvestmentforward,HarryWeekesisnowpartofateamofdevelopersplanningtobuildhousing,commercial,andofficespaceaspartoftheQuigleyFarmproject.Notsurprisingly,Weekesplanstodevelopafarmaspartoftheinitiative.Thiswillbeaworkingfarmthatwillsellproductslocally,butalsoengagestudentsinlearningaboutfoodandfarming,andhopefullyalsosupplyfoodtotheschool’sfoodservice.

HarryWeekesatTheSageSchool(Hailey) PhotobyKenMeter,2018

Long-termfarmfamilylaunchesanewgrainbusinessAnotherdaughteroftheValleyisBrettStevenson.Brettalsogrewupinafamilywithdeeprootsintheregionwhorunalarge,prosperousfarmintheBellevueTriangle.Afterattendingcollegeandgraduateschool,thenworkingfiveyearsforBlaineCountyasaplanner,BretthelpedlaunchtheBlaineCountyFoodCouncil.DuringmeetingswithCouncil,Stevensondiscovered“Thereisarealdisconnectbetweenthevisionariesandthefarmers.”Councilmembersentertainedawealthofgreatideas,butnoneofthemseemedtorefertothefarmersshegrewupwith.Shelookedforwaysof“bringinginthetraditionalproducers.”Manyhaveearneddecentincomessellingmaltbarleyandalfalfa.Yetinrecentyears,pricesbegantoslip.Brettwantedtofindnewoptionsforherfamilyandotherfarmersandawaytoprocesswhatisgrownlocally.“Wehaveawesomegrainhere.Itneedslittlewater,”soitissuitedtothelocalclimate.Ultimately,Brettdecidedtolaunchagraincleaningandmillingbusiness.ThiswillmeanthatfamiliesintheValleyhaveaccesstofreshlymilledflourfromlocallyraisedgrains.TogetherwithoutsideinvestorsshehiredadesignerfromDenmarktodesign,source,andinstallamid-scale


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graincleaningandmillingline—asizethatismuchmorecommoninEurope,butrareintheUSA.Initiallyitwillbecapableofmilling800poundsofgrainperhour.Herbusinessplanningconcludedthatbecauseofhershortsupplychainherpricesshouldbeverycompetitive.YetStevensoncautions,“Icouldn’tmakethisinvestmentsolelyforresidentsoftheWoodRiverValley.IwillhavetoreachbeyondtomarketsinJackson,SaltLakeCity,andlikelyCaliforniatomakeitpencilout.”Oncesheestablishestheflourbusiness,Stevensonishopefulaboutexpansionsthatmayincludemoreflour,abakery,andoramalthouseforlocalbrewers.Assheexpands,sheaimstoinvolvemorefarmsandfoodbusinesses,keepingmoremoneyintheWoodRiverValley.SimilarcollaborationselsewhereintheU.S.havesuccessfullyconnectedseedgrowers,grainfarmers,mills,bakeries,restaurants,andretailstoresintovibrantbusinessnetworks.Allarepredicatedonbuildingsignificanttrustamongthemembersoftheclustersotheycaneffectivelycoordinatetheirworkovertime.Mosthaveencouragedtheirfarmermemberstobuildsoilhealthalongtheway.AsfounderFredFlemingsaidofthecollaborationShepherdsGrain,launchedinthePacificNorthwest,thecluster’sgrowthfrom2,000bushelsofgrainin1985fromafewfarmsto600,000bushelsperyearfrom52farmsin2014wasbasedon“investinginrelationships—theonewehavewithyou,andtheoneyouhavewithus.”4

TheKonditorei(SunValley) PhotobyKenMeter,2018

4SeealsoMeter,Ken(2014).“InvestingInRelationships:HowSpokanecanbestsupportitsemerginglocalfoodsindustry.”CrossroadsResourceCenter.Availableatwww.crcworks.org/waspokeplan14.pdf.SeealsoMeter,K.(2018).“GrainBusinessClustersintheUS.”PowerPointpresentationbyKenMeter,CrossroadsResourceCenter,toJustFoodOttawa.March17.Availableatwww.crcworks.org/crcppts/ongrain180317.pdf


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CoffeegrowsfromaculturaltaprootThefoodservicemanagerattheKonditoreiRestaurantatSunValleyResortpassedalonganinterestinghistoryofhowacultureoffoodhastakenrootintheValley,amidthetouristeconomy.MattRobinsonrecalledthatthefounderoftheKonditoreiwasFredPendl,anAustrianbakerwhowasbroughtfromEuropeintheearlydaysoftheResortbyAlpineskierswhosoughttoinstillasenseofAustriancultureintotheResort.Todaytherestaurantstillfeaturesanelaborateselectionofbakedgoods,offeredinafestivesettingthatisreminiscentofanAustrianlodge.Significantly,eachofFred’stwodaughtersalsolaunchedfoodbusinesseswhentheygrewup.MarthaPendloperatedthePendlBakeryinDriggsfrom2003-2016.HersisterLizzieistheownerofLizzie’sFreshCoffeeinKetchum.BothfirmsareatestamenttotheAustriantraditionofcultivatingaculturethatsupportsfarmersandtastyfood—nowwovenintotheWoodRiverValleytradition.

JamonFrostenson,Loganics(Fairfield) PhotobyKenMeter,2018

SettlingbackhometogrowfoodoverthelongwintersAsJamonFrostensongrewuponafarmnearFairfieldhefoundhimselfimagininghewouldreturnhometofarmsomeday.Yethealsotooktimeaway,attendingWilliamsCollegewherehegainedconsiderablescientificexpertise.WhilehewasgonehemetAnnieRice,awomanwhohadgrownupjustafewmilesaway.BothoftheirancestorshadhomesteadedontheCamasPrairieabout1900.Theymarriedandrentedlandtofarmneartheirhomeplaces.AsJamonsetaboutplanninghisfarmbusiness,hecouldrelyuponworkingforhisfatheronanestablishedfamilyoperation.Yet


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healsoknewthatthefarmhewantedtobuildwouldbeverydifferent.Certainly,heraisescashcropsonhisland.Yethealsobeganexperimentingwithvegetables,sellingthemunderthetradenameLoganics.Oneyearheplantedseveralacresofcarrots.Hehadarrangedwithabuyertopurchasethem,butthedealfellthrough,sohehadtoscrambletofindalast-minutebuyer.Meanwhile,heappliedhistechnicaltalentstodevelopingawintergrowingchamberthatcouldraisegreensyearround.Inourinterview,Frostensonsaidhehadgonethroughfiveormoreiterationsofthechamber.Constructinghisowninsulatedwallsusingplywoodboardsthatsurroundedathickstyrofoamlayer,hewasabletoattainR-factorsashighas21.Atfirstheopenedupthebuildingstothesunlightforpartoftheday.Aseachiterationofthebuildingbecamemorecogentthanthepreviousones,heultimatelydecidedthathecouldcontrolthegrowingenvironmentmorepreciselybybuildingalight-tightcontainer,usinglayersofLEDlightstohelphisplantsgrow.Henowgrowsgreensinsoilinsideasmall,flatroomofabout150squarefeet.Relyingupongauges,timers,androllers,hecanadjustthelightingtosimulatesunshine,andeasilymovetraysofplantsintoproperpositionasneeded.Skepticalofcommoditypricesoverthelonghaul,andlimitedinwhathecancurrentlyproduceashetestshisproductionmethods,FrostensonhasfocusedonsellinghisgreensattheFairfieldFarmers’Market.And,sincehisin-lawsliveinBoise,hefindsiteasytodeliverhisproductstotheBoisemarketplaceinconjunctionwithfamilyvisits.Frostensonsaysthatafterallofthisexperimentation,hefeelsthatheisclosetohavingaworkingproductionsystemthatcouldbereplicatedbyothers.Heispatentingcertainaspectsofhistechnologytoprotecthisinventions.Whenthisintervieweraskedhimifhisexperienceinbuildinginsulatedwallpanelswouldmeanhecouldconstructon-farmcoldstorageforfarmersintheWoodRiverValley,hesaid,“absolutely.”

SherryandLarryKraay(Bellevue) PhotobyKenMeter,2018


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Kraay’sMarket&GardendeliversdirecttohouseholdsSherryKraayhaslonggrownfoodinhergardenattheKraays’farminBellevue,whileherhusbandLarryraisedArabianhorsesandstartedanationalfirm,DryNestAnimalBedding,evenasheworkedintheValleyasateacher.Astheoutputfromtheirgardenbecamemorethanthecouplecoulduse,theybegansharingtheirharvestwithfriends.AsinterestinlocalfoodsblossomedintheValley,theyenlargedtheirgardenfouryearsago,hopingtosupplyevenmoreoftheirneighborswhohadsignedupforfooddeliveries.YetintheirfirstyearasKraay’sMarket&Garden,thegardenfloundered,Larryrecalled.Theyconsideredabandoningtheeffort,but,asSherrysaid,“Thegreensdidn’tstopgrowing.”Sothecouplefocusedmoreondeliveringfoodraisedonnearbyfarms.Larryadded,“Wedidn’tplanonthisbeingabusiness.Anditisnotabusinessyet.”TheoperationrunsbecauseLarryandSherryareabletocountonothersourcesofincome,sotheycanvolunteertheirtime.TheypickupfoodsfromtheirfarmerpartnersinJerome,TwinFalls,Buhl,andHagermaneveryTuesdaywithoutchargingafeeforthedeliveryserviceexceptforcreditcardcharges.Theirmarkupontheproductstheycarryisrathersmallat25%(comparedto30-40%formanydistributors).TheKraaysandtheirstaffusetheirownvehiclestodeliverfoodweeklytosome600customers’homes.Theyfeelcrampedforstoragespaceandwashingandpackingcapacity.Yetallthesame,theysaytheychannel$165,000to$200,000ofincomeperyeartothe50farmersandothervendorswhosupplythem.Withthisorganicallygrownbusinessmodel,theKraayshavebuiltadevotedfollowing,forgingmutualtrustamongfarmers,chefs,andconsumersalike.Theytakeprideinthefactthattheyretainthefarmers’identitiesastheydeliverfoods:eachconsumerknowswhichfarmsaresupplyingthem.While85%oftheirbusinessishomedelivery,theKraaysalsodelivertochefs,schools,andcommercialaccountswhenasked.Theyalsosellretailfromtheirfarm,andhavetackledahostofeducationalmissionsaswell,includinghostingtheValley’sHarvestFestin2018.Theyacknowledgethattheirdeliveriesreachonlythemostprosperousconsumerswhoareabletopayforhomedelivery.TheKraaysestimatethattheyaremorethanhalfwaytotheirgoalofbeingabletosupportthemselvesthroughthedeliveryservice.With21,000peopleinBlaineCounty,theyknowthebusinessisthere.However,Sherrysaid,“Weneedmorefarmers,butnoonecanbuyfiveor10acrestoday.Wewouldliketoexpandintonewheatedgreenhouses.Wealsoneedmorepeoplebelievingintheconceptoflocalfood.”“Ournextgoal,”Sherryadded,“Istoinstallafreezer.”Thiswouldallowthemtosafelystoremeatsforlaterdistribution.Theywouldalsoliketobuildmorecoldstoragespace,andsomedayhopetodevelopakitchenandclassroomwheretheycanexpandtheireducationalofferings.Theywouldprefertoearnthisincomethemselves,sinceasLarrysaid,“Iamwaryofthedependenceoftakinggrants.”Yettheyalsowanttobringthebusinesstoamoresustainablepositionsosomeoneyoungercantakeitoverseveralyearsfromnow.


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TheHungerCoalitionprovidesfoodrelief;raisesawarenessAsthefoodpantryforBlaineCounty,TheHungerCoalition(THC)hasreachedouttolow-incomeresidentssince2003,whenagroupofvolunteersheadedbyTomIselinbegandistributingfoodtothoseinneed.Nowithasdistributedmorethanonemillionpoundsoffood.THC’sfoodreliefeffortsfarsurpasstheofferingsofits“shoppingarea,”wherepeoplecancometoselectfreefoodsasneeded.Newparentscangetassistanceinobtaininginfantformula(4,500bottlesweredispersedin2018).Collaboratingwithnearbyschools,THCoffersmealsandsnackstostudentsduringtheacademicyear,andalsodeliveredmorethan5,000mealstofivelocationsthroughits2018SummerProgram.WorkinginpartnershipwiththeWoodRiverFarmers’Market,TheHungerCoalitionraisedfundsthatallowshopperstodoublethevalueoftheirproducepurchasesatlocalfarmers’markets:forexample,ifonespends$20atthemarketusinganEBTorSNAPcard,theycantakehome$40worthoffreshfruits,vegetables,milk,meat,eggs,cheese,orhoney.THCalsodistributedmorethan1,000poundsofpetfoodincollaborationwithMountainHumane,ananimalshelter.Inadditiontothosenamedabove,THCcountsThePapooseClubandSt.Luke’sWoodRiverMedicalCenteraskeypartners.THC’s2015CommunityFoodAssessmentmadevisibletherealitythatoneofeverysixBlaineCountyresidentswasmakinguseoffoodrelief—evenpolicemen,firemen,andresortworkersrelyuponthisassistance.ThatreporthelpedinspirethecreationoftheBlaineCountyFoodCouncil.YetTHCrecognizesthatfoodreliefalonewillnotsolvehunger.Theissuesfacinglow-incomeresidentsarecomplexandlong-term,sobroaderstepsareneeded.Itnowplacesgreateremphasisoncapacity-buildingprogramssuchascookingclasses,nutritioneducation,money-managementtraining,andgrowingfood.In2016,THCopenedtheBloomCommunityFarm(alongwithitsBloomFoodTruck)attheQuigleyFarmeastofHailey.Here,alongwiththeHopeGardenlocatedindowntownHailey,residentscanlearnmoreaboutgrowingfood,performvolunteerworkinexchangeforfreshproduce,orgatherasawomen’sgrouptoworktogetherandsupporteachothertoaddressthechallengesoflivingonlimitedresources.Yettheneedcontinuestogrow.Today,BlaineCountyhasbecometheeighth-mostexpensivecountyintheU.S.infoodcosts,and19%ofallBlaineCountyresidentsreceivesomeformoffoodaidfromTheHungerCoalition.Moreover,THCconstituentsexperienceconsiderableembarrassmentwhentheyareforcedtorelyuponassistance.SotheCoalitionisembarkinguponalong-termefforttocreatewelcominggatheringspaces,hopingtobringresidentstogethertoaddressthegravesocialissuesthatcreatetheneedforfoodrelief.Aspartofthateffort,TheHungerCoalitionisstrivingtobringonnewboardmemberswhoaremorerepresentativeofthosetheyserve.

ConclusionsfromOurResearchTheabove,ofcourse,areonlyafewoftheexamplesofcommunityfoodsactivitythathastakenrootintheWoodRiverValleyandMagicValleyoverseveraldecades.Manyotherscouldbe


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mentioned.Theseprofilesarenotmeanttoelevateanyofthesegroupsaboveotherendeavors,buthopefullywillpresentboththeface,andaclearimage,ofongoingcommunityfoodsactivity.

EconomictrendsareworrisomeSeealsoAppendixBforfurtherdetail.Thesecommunityinnovatorsoperateinsideacontextthathasprovenexceptionallydifficultforfarmersandresidentsalike.ThepopulationofBlaineCountyrose283%(nearlyafour-foldincrease)from5,694in1969to21,791in2016(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018;SeealsoChart1inAppendixBofthisreport).MuchofthisincreasewasduetoaninfluxofnewresidentswhocametolivenearSunValley,drawnbyitsmountains,accesstonature,scenery,recreationalopportunities,andrelativeisolation.Moreover,thesenewcomersbroughtinsubstantialwealth.Overallpersonalincomerosearemarkable1,275percent,afteradjustingforinflation,from$22.4millionin1969(or$147millionin2016dollars)to$2billionin2016(Chart2).Thisisanearly14-foldincrease(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018).Thevastmajorityofthisnewincomeisearnedfromcapitalinvestments:interestonsavingsaccounts,dividendsfromsecurities,andrentalincome(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018).Allothersourcesofpersonalincomegrewrelativelyslowlyordeclined.ThissuggeststhatmostoftheincomeincreaseisduetoincomesourcedoutsideofBlaineCounty;newresidentsbroughtitwiththemwhentheymovedin.Fortheaverageresident,however,fewnewsourcesofincomewereavailable—whilelivingcostsrosebecausemoreprosperousresidents,andvisitors,wereabletospendathigherrates.

Asaresult,BlaineCountyranks27thintheU.S.forinequalityamongitsresidents.ThisinequalityislargelydrivenbyconditionsintheHailey-Ketchumarea,whichranksasninth-highestforinequalityofanymetropolitanareaintheUS(Blanchard,2018,citingEconomicPolicyInstitutedata).5“AccordingtotheEconomicPolicyInstitute(EPI),thetop1percentofearnersinBlaineCountymakeabout$3.6milliononaverage.Theother99percentofthepopulationaverages$77,353—46.8timesless.”(Blanchard,2018)6

Infact,FeedingAmericadatashowsthatthecostoffeedingahungrypersoninBlaineCountyis$4.39permeal—theeighthhighestcostamongallUScounties.(Thosecostsrangefrom$2.04to$6.20permeal.)Further,FeedingAmericaestimatesthat10.4%oftheBlaineCountypopulation(2,230adultsandchildren)isfoodinsecure,andcalculatesthatitwouldrequire$1.75Blanchard,N.(2018).“ThisIdahoareahasoneofthemostextremeincomeinequalitygapsinthecountry.”IdahoStatesman,July22.ViewedJanuary17,2019athttps://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/personal-finance/article215335440.html#storylink=cpyhttps://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/personal-finance/article215335440.html6Sommeiller,E.&Price,M.(2018).TheNewGildedAge:IncomeInequalityintheU.S.byState,MetropolitanArea,andCounty.EconomicPolicyInstitute,July.Dataarefortaxunits(singleadultsormarriedcouples),referredtointhereportasfamilies,andfor2015,unlessotherwiseindicated.https://www.epi.org/multimedia/unequal-states-of-america/#/Idaho


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millioneachyeartoprovideemergencyrelieftoallresidentswhorequireaid(Gunderson,2018;Blanchard2018).7Thisisinadditiontothe$1millionofSNAPbenefitsthatBlaineCountyresidentscurrentlyreceive(Chart9).Overall,BlaineCountyresidentscurrentlypurchasemorethan$63millionoffoodeachyeartoeatathome.Thisestimateislow,becauseitisbasedupondatacoveringtheWesternstates,andisnotspecifictoBlaineCounty.8Basedonthistallyweestimatethatatleast$60millionoftheseexpendituresgoforfoodssourcedoutsideoftheCounty.Foracountywithaproudheritageofagriculture,whosefarmerssellabout$35millionoffoodcommoditieseachyear,thisisastrikingloss.WhileBlaineCountyfarmersfocusedonsupplyingcommoditymarkets,thenumberoffarmsintheCountyfell17%overthepast48years,from224in1969to186in2012.Duringthisperiod,considerablelandwasalsotakenoutoffarming.In1969,BlaineCountyfarmersworked250,249acres;by2012totalfarmacreagehadfallento179,130,adecreaseof28percent(CensusofAgriculture,1969;2012).Topfarmproductsareforage,barley,andcattle.Moreover,farmersfacesubstantialuncertainty.WhileBlaineCountyfarmersenjoyednetcashincomeof$7to$9millionin1974,1990,and1993,androdeaspeculationbubblein2011,theoveralltrendofnetfarmincomehasbeendeclines.In19ofthepast48years,netcashincomewasnegative,andfarmersearned$3millionlessbyproducingcropsandlivestockin2016thantheyhadearnedin1969(Charts4-5).Duringthisera,productionshiftedfromlivestocktocashcrops(Chart6)(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018).Unfortunately,federalfarmpaymentswerethelargestandmostconsistentsourceoffarmincomefrom1977to1988,whilerentalincomedominatedfrom1997tothepresent(Chart8).Thusforlandowners,rentingoutfarmlandisamorereliablesourceofincomethanactuallyfarmingtheland(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018).Meanwhile,hungerincreasedinBlaineCounty,despitetheriseofpersonalincomenotedabove.AsChart9shows,SNAPrecipientscollected$200,000ofbenefitsin1970(nodatawererecordedfor1969),butbenefitsrosedramaticallyduringtheglobalhousingfinancecrisis,peakingat$1.8millionin2012,andnowstandatabout$1millionperyear(BureauofEconomicAnalysis2018).NotonlydoesSNAPdatarevealthevulnerabilityoftheBlaineCountypopulation,italsoshowshowmuchthisvulnerabilityisconnectedtoglobaleventsoutsideofthecontrolofcountyresidents.Alsocritical,itshowsthelossesenduredunderafarmeconomythatisgearedtoexportingcommoditiestodistantmarkets,whilelocalpeoplegohungry.

7Gundersen,C.;Dewey,A.;Crumbaugh,A.;Kato,M;&Engelhard,E.(2018).MaptheMealGap2018:AReportonCountyandCongressionalDistrictFoodInsecurityandCountyFoodCostintheUnitedStatesin2016.FeedingAmerica.ProvidedbyTheHungerCoalition.8CalculationbyMeterusingBureauofLaborStatisticsConsumerExpenditureSurveydatafor2015.(BureauofLaborStatistics,2015).


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KeyConcernsraisedininterviewsWoodRiverValleyRegionfoodleadersalsoholdboldvisionsforthefutureoffoodintheregion.Someofthesewillbecoveredbelow.Althoughsomewillmoveforwardontheirownmomentum,severalarelikelytorequiresignificantsupportiftheyaretoflourish.Further,ourinterviewsshowedthatWoodRiverValleyRegionfoodleadersidentifyastrongneedforgreatercoordination,andmorepragmaticmanagement,ofcommunityfoodactivity,ifitistothriveinthefuture.Thekeyconcernsraisedbyourintervieweesarelistedbelow.InequalityofwealthandincomeOneofthemajorchallengestheWoodRiverValleyRegionfacestodayisthetremendousinequalityofincomeandwealth.StudieshavedocumentedthatBlaineCountyexperiencessomeofthegreatestinequalityintheU.S.MuchofthewealthwasgainedoutsidetheValley.Suchwealthisatremendouscommunityresource,butalsohastheconsequenceofraisingpricesforthosewholivehere.Asaresult,staffofTheHungerCoalitionreportthattheorganizationprovidesfoodrelieftooneofeveryfiveresidents[interviewwithBrookeMcKenna].Moreover,foodpricesinBlaineCountyarethe8thhighestintheUS,asnotedabove.Moreover,oneintervieweestated,“40to50%ofthepopulationisburdenedbyhousingcosts.”UnevenprogressincommunityfoodsinitiativesOneValleyfoodleaderlamentedthat“Fiveyearsago,IhadmorechoicesforbuyingfromlocalfarmsthanIhavetoday.”Anotherleadercomplainedthatthefoodworkisjust“spinning[its]wheels.”Asstillanotherpointedout,“Wehavelotsofgreatmeetingsaboutfood,butnothinggetsaccomplished.”Anotherconcludedthatwell-intendedprogrammaticinvestmentshadunintentionallydrawnwealthfromfarmers.LackofpragmaticfocusEssentially,withtheregion’swealth,vibrantconsumermarket,anddeepfarmheritage,therearesomanyrichopportunitiesthatleadersareparalyzedbychoice.Asoneleadersaid,“Thereisanurbanidealismherecombinedwithalackofwillingnesstodothehardwork.”Anotheradded,“Manyleaderslookforthe‘nextnewidea’ratherthandiscipliningthemselvestogetpragmatictasksdone.”PartnersdonotalwaysfeelwellservedFarmersandchefswhohavebeeninvolvedinrecentoutreachactivitiesexpressedfrustrationwiththeirroles.Onefarmernotedthattheseevents“askedagreatdealoffarmers,butofferedlittleinreturn.”Onechefaddedeventshecookedforwere“anelitethingthatdidnotpenetratetomostresidents’lives.Farmersdonatedfood,andchefsdonatedconsiderabletime,butgotverylittleoutofit.”LingeringlossesordisputesfuelhopelessnessManyofthepeopleweinterviewedoffereddetailedaccountsoftraumaticsituationsthatneverwereresolved.Someofthesewereunresolvedpersonalconflicts.Someinvolvedorganizationalbreakdowns.Othersnotedthattheiropinionshadbeenmarginalized.Fewfelttheyholdthepowertointervenetocutthroughaconflictedsituation.Itseemedtherewasnowheretoturntoresolvedifferences.


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IndividualismoftenlimitscollaborationIdaho’sspiritofindividuallibertyoftenpromptspeopletofallbackintotheirownindividualworld,especiallywhenconflictsgounresolved.Thishasworkedagainstbuildingacultureofcollaboration.Long-termneighborsandcolleagueswhoenjoyeachotherandknoweachotherwellneverthelesspursuetheirstrategicprioritiesinisolationfromeachother,andmeasuresuccessbygaugingtheirpersonalincomeorpower,ratherthanbycalculatingacommunitybenefit.MarketshavefailedthemajorityofresidentsHighcostsofland,lackofsupportiveinfrastructure,andwealthinequalityallconspiretocreateanimmensegapbetweenwhatfarmersneedtothrive,andwhatconsumerscanpay.Undertheseconditions,marketforceswillnotcreatefairpricing.Thisgapmayonlybefilledthroughphilanthropyorsubsidy,ifonlyintheformoflower-incomeresidentspayingforhealthcareforfood-relatedconditions,orgoingwithoutfood,orbywealthierresidentspayingmoreforfoodinwaysthatsupportaccessforothers.ThisdisconnectispreciselywhatTheHungerCoalitionisorganizedtoaddress.Buildingincentivessothatmoreresidentsinvestintheprocesswillalsobeimportant.Evenestablishedfarmfamiliesrelyuponoff-farmincomeWhiletheregionhostsseveralfarmfamilieswhohavebuiltconsiderablewealth,ingeneralthiswasgainedinanearliererawhenfarmingwasmorelucrative,orthewealthwasbuiltthroughoff-farmactivities.Whilepricesformaltingbarleyandalfalfahavebeenbeneficialinrecentyears,trendsshowthisisdeclining.Asaresult,itisextremelydifficultforanyonetostartafarmwithoutpriorwealth,orassistancefromsomeonewithwealth.Itiseventenuoustomanageawellestablishedfarmoperationwithoutoutsidesourcesofincome.ManyofthefarmerssellingfoodlocallyarenearingretirementIftheWoodRiverValleyRegiondoesnothavesystemsinplacetosupportgenerationsofnewfarmersonanongoingbasis,agricultureitselfisvulnerable.Inparticular,theregioncouldlosetoretirementthefarmsthathavesoldfoodtolocalconsumersfordecades,withoutgrowingnewfarmerstoreplacethem.


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MikeHeath,M&MHeathFarm(Buhl) PhotobyKenMeter,2018

KeyStrengths,Weaknesses,Obstacles,andOpportunitiesidentifiedinourinterviewsKeyStrengths:

• TheWoodRiverValleyandMagicValleyeachholdastrongheritageoffarming• Regionresidents“havethemindsettoeathealthier,locallyraisedfood”• SunValleyhasanexceptionalcoreofdonorswhohaveinvestedinthebroader

communityKeyWeaknesses:




KeyObstacles:


KeyOpportunities:

• WoodRiverValleyRegionhasenoughland,wealth,andconsumerpurchasingpowertobuildastrongcommunityfoodsystem


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• PrioritizeprojectsthatwillstrengthentrustandcollaborationamongWoodRiverValleyRegionstakeholders

• EngageadiverseandbroadrangeofWoodRiverValleyRegionresidentsincommunityfoodsefforts

• WorkcollaborativelytoleverageTheHungerCoalition’sexpansion• Buildadistributionnetworkappropriatetotheleveloffarmproduction• Buildcoldstorageonwholesalingfarms(couldbebuiltbylocalfarmers)• BuildwarehousespaceandcoldstorageinHailey/Bellevue• Marketfailureintheprevailingfoodsystemcreatesopportunitiesforcommunities

ThechoicetheWoodRiverValleyRegionfacesEssentially,theWoodRiverValleyRegion(WRVR)canprioritizebychoosingamongseveralpotentialpaths:

1. WRVRcaninvestintheconceptofindividualliberty.2. WRVRcaninvestinexportingfoodtootherregions.3. WRVRcaninvestinthelatestnewidea,project,ortechnology.4. WRVRcaninvestinthewell-to-do.5. WRVRcaninvestinbuildingacultureofcollaboration.6. WRVRcaninvestinbrandingitselfasaregionwhereeveryoneeatswell.

1.WRVRcaninvestintheconceptofindividuallibertyInvestingintheconceptofindividualliberty(thatis,“anadultgetstodowhatevertheywanttodo”)iswhollyconsistentwithIdaho’straditionoflibertarianindividualism.Thisproudculturehelpedremotefamiliessurviveamidstharshconditions,andholdconsiderablepoweratatimewhensocialandpoliticalinstitutionsarechallenged.Yetoneoftheprofoundresultsofsuchaninvestmentisthatpeopleappeartofeelisolatedfromeachother,unabletoresolveconflicts,andunclearhowtocoordinate.Toinvestinindividualnotionsofsuccessistoinvestin(a)reducedfarmincome,(b)increasedpovertyandhunger,(c)limitedspendingpower,and(d)increasedisolationandasenseofhopelessness.2.WRVRcaninvestinadditionalfarmproductsthatcanbeexportedtooutsidebuyers.Theexportstrategyiscertainlyapaththatisfavoredbyexistinginfrastructure,andholdsthepotentialforearningshort-termfarmandfoodprocessingincomethatcouldmaketheregionmoreprosperous.Indeed,thefarmingandfood-manufacturingsectorsofSouthernIdahoareamongthenationallyprominentfoodsectorsoftheUS.Withgoodsoil,amplewater,andlimitedpublicintervention,theregionhasprosperedinmanyofthesamewaystheUSfarmandfoodsectorhas:achievinggreateconomiesofscale,itsuppliesurbanmarketsandforeignconsumerswithvaluablecommoditiesatcompetitiveprices.YetfarmersinSouthernIdaho,likerestoftheUS,holdlittlepowertonegotiatefairtermswhenmarketsaresothoroughlyownedordominatedbyoutsiders,asprevailingglobalmarketsare.


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Farmers,processors,andthustheentireregion,arevulnerablebecausepurchasersholdcoreloyaltiesthatoftendifferdrasticallyfromthoseoflocalfirms.Nordogrowersfacelong-termsustainability:ThegrowthofthedairyindustryinIdaho,forexample,hasthreatenedthesurvivaloffamilyfarmareasinWisconsin,Pennsylvania,andNewEngland.ThesamethreatislikelytoloomoverIdahofarmersasnewdairybarnsandprocessorscomeonlineinotherregionsglobally,orasspendingpatternsshift.Moreover,oneoftheironiesofthefarmandfoodsectorinSouthernIdahoisthatthisregionhasproventhemostdifficultforMagicValleyfarmerstosellto,becauseofalimitedinterestinfoodgrownonnearbyfarms.YettheWoodRiverValleyitselfisevenmorechallengedbyitsshortgrowingseasonifitfocusesonexportingfood.TherearemultiplecompetingproducersintheUSandabroadwitheither(a)longergrowingseasons,(b)lowerlandcosts,(c)lowerlaborcosts,(d)lowerinputcosts,(e)morehighlydevelopedfarmservicessuchasmaintenanceorinputdealers,or(f)closeraccesstomarkets.Simplyput,themaincompetitiveadvantagethatWoodRiverValleyfarmersandprocessorscouldholdeconomicallywouldbetotradewiththosewhohavecommittedthemselvestocollaboratingoverthelongtermtobuildabetterlifeforValleyresidents.3.WRVRcaninvestinthelatestnewidea,project,ortechnologyDuringthepastfourdecades,U.S.farmproductivityhasmorethandoubled,butoverallnetfarmincomeislower(EconomicResearchService20129,201310).Thishighlightsthefactthattechnologicalinnovationsmayoffershort-termincome,especiallytoearlyadaptors,butdonotalwaysresultinlong-termfinancialsecurity.Evenmoretroubling,manyeffortstoinvestinwaysthatincreasethescaleofproduction—inawell-meaningefforttoreduceoperatingcosts—enduppromotingoutsideinterests.Asonesmallexample,thosefarmersthathaveachievedscaleoftenfindthattheyfocusattentiononurbanpurchasersinBoiseorSaltLakeCity,andholdlimitedinterestinsellingtoWoodRiverValleyRegionconsumers.IfacultureofcollaborationisnotbuiltintheValley,thebenefitsofnewtechnologicaladvancesarelikelytoaccruetothosewhoarewealthiest(thosewhocanaffordtheinnovations),andarelikelytoerodeinthematterofafewyears.Effectivecollaboration,throughstrongsocialconnectionsandeffectivebusinessclusters,couldcreateeconomicbenefitsthataremore

9USDAEconomicResearchService,FarmBalanceSheetseries.(2012).Part1:Farmincomeandbalancesheetindicators,1929-2012F,expressedinconstant(2005=100)dollars.10USDAEconomicResearchService,FarmProductivityseries.(2013).Table1.Indicesoffarmoutput,input,andtotalfactorproductivityfortheUnitedStates,1948-2009.Retrievedfromhttps://academic.oup.com/view-large/122706


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broadlyshared,andlongerlasting.Suchnetworkswillbefarmorecriticaltosuccessthananyindividualenterprise,nomatterhowinnovativeitmaybe.4.WRVRcaninvestinthewell-to-doInvestorswillnottakestronginterestininitiativesthatdonotappealtotheirindividualself-interest.Yetunfortunately,manyopttoengagewithnewprojectsforthesakeofthebenefitstheymaybringamonganexclusivesetofpeers,forreasonsofpersonalandprofessionalprestige.Suchinvestmentsmaybeproblematic.Unfortunately,thismeansthatcertaininvestmentseffectivelysubsidizethosewhoalreadyhavemeans.Doingsotendstoexacerbateincomeandwealthinequalities,anddoeslittletosolvetheissuesfacedbyless-prosperousresidents.Moreover,investinginmakingsuretheaveragecitizenleadsacomfortablelifealsobenefitsthosewhohavegreatermeans.5.WRVRcaninvestinbuildingacultureofcollaborationEfficienciescanbegainedthroughgreatercollaborationjustaseffectivelyasbyproducingatalargerscale.Giventheprevailingsenseofisolationandlackofconflictresolution,accompaniedbygreatinequalitiesofincomeandwealth,itseemscriticaltofocusoninvestmentsthatwillbuildlastingcollaborations.Thisoftensupportingprocessesthatbuildeffectivecollaborationasmuchasspecificprojects.Buildingcollaboration,however,istoswimupstreamagainstpowerfulcurrentsthatreinforceindividualismandisolation.Thisworkcanbedifficultandmaybringfewshort-termrewards,butdoesbringlong-termbenefitsthatreinforceeachotherovertime.6.WRVRcaninvestinbrandingitselfasaregionwhereeveryoneeatswellOnewaytobuildmoreeffectivecollaborationmightbetotacklea“bigvision”projectthathasbroadsupport.Forexample,apotentinclusivelocalbrandingcouldgalvanizeawealthofactivityandprovideaclearframeworkforcollaboration.ByembracingtheBigIdeathatWoodRiverValleyRegioncanbeaplace“WhereEveryoneEatsWell,”muchofthesenseofmissedopportunitycanberedirectedintopositiveactivity.ThiswouldalsohelptheValleybuildalastingculturethatfostersindividualself-determination,healthierlifestylesandmorevibrantcommunities.Onegrowerelegantlyidentifiedasolidpathforward:“Theregionneedstocreateabusinessplanforseekingself-sufficiencyasaregion.”HesuggestedthattheamountoffoodthatwouldbeneededtofeedValleyresidentsbecalculated(SeeTable1,AppendixB)andthatsolidleadersmakesurethatfoodisgrown,harvested,anddistributedtoValleyresidents.Thisapproachsuggestsinvestinginthe“right”scaletofeedValleyresidents,notlargerscaleforitsownsake.Yetthisapproachalsorequiresconsiderablecommitmentandlong-termpersistence.


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KeyOpportunitiesAsaresultofourresearchandinterviews,ourstrategicfocusistoencouragesocialandcommercialcollaborationsthatreweaveafabricoftrustandcollaborationoverthelongterm.Thisincludeseffectivebusinessclusters.

AlexSanchez,OasisMarketFarm(Buhl) PhotobyKenMeter,2018

KeyElementsofthisWorkPlan(Eachisexplainedingreaterdetailbelow)

1.Unifycommunityfoodscoordination2.BrandtheWoodRiverValleyRegionwithaninclusivevision3.FormalizetheWRVWholesaleProducePartnership(WPP)4.SolidifytheStatusoftheWoodRiverFarmers’Markets

1.UnifycommunityfoodscoordinationWhatitis:Broadentherepresentationofcommunityfoodsystemstakeholderstocreateastrongconsolidatedworkinggrouptocoordinateandoverseefoodsystemactivity.


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Whoisinvolved:• SunValleyInstitute’sLocalFoodAlliance(AiméeChristensen,StacyWhitman,Amy

Mattias,andtheSVIboardofdirectorsandadvisoryboard)• BlaineCountyFoodCouncil• TheHungerCoalition• Farmers• Foodbusinesses• UniversityofIdaho—BlaineCountyExtension• ResidentsofBellevueandHailey• Otherpartnersasneeded

Wherethiswillhappen:

• CentereduponHaileyandBellevue• ConnectingtofarmersinCarey,CamasCounty,theMagicValleyandFairfieldareas• ConnectingtoKetchum

When:Thisworkshouldbeginimmediately.Purposes:

• Tocreateaworkingboardthatisfocusedonachievementsandensuringthatcommunityfoodsworkisinclusive.

• TocoordinatecommunityfoodsactivityintheWoodRiverValleyRegionwiththatinnearbyregionsincludingCarey,CamasCounty,MagicValley,andTwinFalls.

• Tobuildcommunityfoodtrade,solidcollaborations,andeffectivebusinessclusters.• Tocoordinateactivitiesundertakenbyparticipatingorganizations.

SuccessMeasures:

• SalesbypartnerfarmstoWoodRiverValleyRegionhouseholdandwholesalecustomers(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)

• PurchasesbypartnerbuyersfromMagicValleyandWoodRiverValleyRegionfarms(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)

• Freshfoodsconveyedbysale,barter,ordonationtoWoodRiverValleyRegionresidentslivingatorbelow185%oftheFederalPovertyLimit(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)

• Acresofsustainablyraisedproduceharvestedforthiscollaboration.• Socialandcommercialnetworksbuiltthatengagefarmers,householdconsumers,and

foodbuyers.• Partnerperceptionsoftheefficacyofthiscoordination(annualsurvey).

BackgroundandRationale:TheWoodRiverValleyRegionhaslaunchedthreedifferentgroupsthathavecoordinatedkeyelementsofcommunityfoodsactivity—theBlaineCountyFoodCouncil(BCFC),theLocalFoodAlliance(LFA;nowformallyapartoftheSunValleyInstitute),andTheHungerCoalition,thefoodbankforBlaineCounty.


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YetamongthepeopleselectedforinterviewsbyLFAandBCFCforthisstrategicplanningprocess,noneheldaclearsenseofexactlywherecommunityfoodsystemsleadershipwasvested.TheBlaineCountyFoodCouncil(BCFC)formedafterTheHungerCoalition’sBlaineCountyFoodAssessmentwaspublishedin2015.Thatreportwasinstrumentalinraisingthevisibilityofhungerasaconcern.Severalwhohadbeeninvolvedinthestudydecidedtocontinuemeetingsotheycouldaddresshungerandahostofothercommunityfoodsconcerns.TheylaunchedtheCouncil.Itsprimeactionfocushasbeenonschoolandrestaurantfoodprocurement.Membersalsosaiditplaysaneffectiverolebybringingtogetherlocalfoodsystemleadersonaregularbasistokeepeachotherinformedofnewdevelopments.AnothergroupthathastakenconsiderableleadershipistheLocalFoodAlliance.LFAintendstoplayacatalyzingrolebyhelpingpromisingfoodinitiativestolaunch,andhelpingthemobtainneededtechnicalandfinancialresources.LFAalsohashostedanumberofcommunityeventstobringgreatervisibilitytolocalfarmers,chefs,andfoods.LFAisledbytwopart-timecontractedworkers,leadingthefoodprogramofthenon-profitorganizationSVI.Alsotakingsubstantialleadership,especiallybyengaginglow-incomeresidents,isTheHungerCoalition.Asnotedabove,ithasprovidedfoodreliefforthoseinneedsince2003,andisalsoincreasingitscapacity-buildingofferings.Its2015CommunityFoodAssessmenteffectivelyplacedhungerissuesinfrontofBlaineCountyresidents.Nowthatisdiversifyingitsleadershipbase,THCiswellpoisedtobringnewvoicesintocommunityfoodsplanning.Additionalvoicesmustalsobeadded,andaunifiedcoreofleadersbuilt.Thisleadershipgroupmustensurethatapracticalfocusiskept.Whilemanyofthoseinterviewedreportedtheyhadbuiltasolidspiritofcamaraderiewithothers,andthatconsiderableinformationisshared,severalparticipantsmadecommentssuchas,“Wemeetallthetime,andwelikeeachother,butnothingseemstogetdone.”Onefood-systemleaderstatedthattheValleysupportedevenstrongerfood-systemactivityfiveyearsagothanitdoesnow.Thebasicgapappearstobealackofpracticalfocus.Asoneleadersaid,“Thereisanurbanidealismherecombinedwithalackofwillingnesstodothehardwork.”Anotheradded,“Manyleaderslookforthe‘nextnewidea’ratherthandiscipliningthemselvestogetpragmatictasksdone.”Essentially,withtheregion’swealth,vibrantconsumermarket,anddeepfarmheritage,therearesomanyrichopportunitiesthatleadersareparalyzedbychoice.Thisinterviewernotedthatgoodpeoplewithexcellentvisionsaremovingforwardeffectively,pursuingtheirstrategicprioritiesbutseldomdirectlycoordinatingwithotherleaders.Thecommunityissmallenoughthatmosteveryoneknowsalltheotherstakeholders.Forthemostpart,peoplefeelgoodabouteachother’swork.Yetevenpeoplewhomeetwitheachotherfairlyoftenstillappeartoworkasiftheywereoperatingonseparatepaths.Missingissomeperson,group,oreffectivenetworkwiththesocialandpoliticalpresencetoencourageparticipantstoactuallygetdowntopragmaticworkandmakesuregoalsareaccomplished.Whilethiscoordinationdoesnotinherentlyneedtobetackledbyasingleperson—iftheregiondevelopsastrongercultureofcollaborationandaccomplishment—itmaybeusefulintheshorttermtovestonepersonorentitywithpowertoensurethatstakeholders


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stayfocusedoncollaboratingandfollowingthroughoncommitments.Thismaybeassimpleashavingregularphonecallsandconferencesthatarefocusedonactionandstrategicreflection.Morecriticaltotheconceptofbrandingtheregionasaninclusiveregionthatfeedsitself(seebelow),thecurrentleadershipstructureisnotdiverse.ThegroupthathasperhapsaccomplishedthemostinmovingtowardmoreinclusiveleadershipisTheHungerCoalition,whichismovingtowardmakingsurethatfoodrecipientsarerepresentedontheiradvisorycouncil.TheyarealsotheonefoodorganizationmosteffectivelyrootedwithresidentsoftheHaileyandBellevuecommunities,evenwhileservingallofBlaineCounty.OtherleadershipcirclesinWoodRiverValleyRegionhaveoftenfocusedonmeetingwithpeoplewhoshareaffinity,butdonotofferbroadrepresentationofmultiplevoices.MuchofthestrategicthinkinghasfocusedontheKetchumendoftheValley,andmuchofthefoodsoldhasbeendirectedthereaswell.IftheWoodRiverValleyRegionwishestobemoreresilient,itwillneedtobroadentherepresentationtoincludeallresidentsoftheValley,andincludediversevoicesinitsvisioningandimplementation.Oneissuethatbearstreatmenthereisthatmanyoftheleaderswhohavesurfacedwithstronginterestincommunityfoodsarealsopeoplewhoseworkorvacationtimeoftentakesthemoutoftheregion.Thissporadicpresencecanmakeitdifficulttoparticipatemeaningfullyinprojectsthatrequirecoordination.Greaterattentionshouldbeplacedoncultivatingleaderswhoareabletoworkday-by-daytoimplementthisstrategicplan.Activities:

• AiméeChristensen,StacyWhitman,andAmyMattiasofSVImeetwithTheHungerCoalitionearlyin2019toestablishcommonvaluesandstrategies.

• AiméeChristensenandStacyWhitmanofSVImeetwithLaurenGoldenofUniversityofIdahoBlaineExtensionearlyin2019toestablishcommonvaluesandstrategies.Inspecific,thismeetingshouldaddresshowBCFCandLFAcouldformastrongercollaborationbyexpandingtheleadershipcircleinthewaysstatedhere.

• Christensen/SVI/LFAandGoldenframeastrategyforeffectivelycoordinatingcommunityfoodsactivitythroughalarger,morediverseentitythatincludesgroupslikeTheHungerCoalition,additionalfarmers,residentsofHailey,Bellevue,orotherBlaineCountycommunities,andothersasappropriate,joiningasmembersofaleadershipcircle.Eveniftheseorganizationsdecidetoworkseparately,morediverseleadershipwouldbebeneficial,andgreatercoordinationisessential.ThisstrategywouldbeimplementedbyWhitman,Mattias,andothers.

• ThisgroupofkeyleaderscouldbeimmediatelyformedasaCommunityFoodsWorkingGroup(CFWG)convenedtoimplementelementsofthisstrategicplan.OrthismightbeaccomplishedbyBCFCexpandingitsleadershipandshiftingitsfocustofilltheroleoftheWorkingGroup..Theactionpriorityatthistime,outsideofformingamoreinclusiveteam,istolaunchaWholesaleProducePartnership,asoutlinedinSection3.ThisgroupmayalsowishtoconvenethosewhowereinterviewedaspartofthisprocesstoreviewandrefinethisStrategicPlan.Overthelongterm,theCFWG/BCFCshouldconsiderhostingannualfarmermeetingsinwinter.AstheCFWG/BCFCdevelopspracticalexperiencetogether,itcanexplorehowtoformalizethisasaleadershipgroup/organizationalstructurebasedonpracticalexperienceinthispartnership.


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• AmyMattias,StacyWhitman,andLaurenGoldencouldcollaboratewiththisWorkingGrouptohostanannualfarmers’meetingduringtheoff-season,beginningin2019or2020.Atthismeeting,farmerswhosupplyfoodtoWoodRiverValleyRegionwouldconvenetodiscusscommonproductionissues,evaluateprogressinbuildingacommunityfoodsystemtodate,strategizehowtobuildthestrongestcommunityfoodsystempossible,andlaunchimplementationoftheirplans.

• Morefrequentmeetingsamongfarmersarecertainlydesirabletotheextentthatfarmersandothercommunityfoodspartnersfeelthisisproductivetime.ThisschedulecanbedeterminedbytheCFWG/BCFC.

• IftheCFWG/BCFCcanworkwiththe“1%Blaine”investmenteffort,orotherwiseobtainfundingthatwouldallowittoinvestin(a)pilotprojects;(b)challengegrants;or(c)smallresearchinitiativesthathelpbuildcommunityfoodstradeandinfrastructure,thiswillprovideastrongerpresencetotheWorkingGroup.

• TheCFWG/BCFCshouldcreateaformal,moredetailedbusinessplanforimplementingthisStrategicPlan.Onekeydecisioniswhethertoinvestinaspecificfacility(SeeSection2below).Itisassumedthatanysuchfacilitywouldbeacollaborationamongmanygroupswhowouldraisefundsincommon,creatinganoperationthatearnsoperatingincomeandblendsthiswithphilanthropicsupporttoachieveitseducationalandcommunitybuildingpurposes.

• TheCFWG/BCFCwouldalsotakechargeofimplementingthebrandingstrategyoutlinedinthisdocument.

• OtherelementsofthisStrategicPlanmaybetakenupbytheCFWG/BCFCatitsdiscretion.

• Onegeneralprinciplethatshouldbefollowedistopairolder,moreexperiencedleaderswithyoungeremergingleaders,allowingtheircomplementaryskillstocreatelastingleadershipcapacityintheWoodRiverValleyRegion.OneexampleofthisistheproposedpartnershipofMikeHeathandAmyMattiastoimplementtheWholesaleProducePartnership(SeeSection3).


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FieldatSquashBlossomFarm(Bellevue) PhotobyKenMeter,2018

2.BrandtheWoodRiverValleyRegion(WRVR)withaninclusivevisionWhatitis:ReframetheWoodRiverValleyRegioncommunityfoodsmovementasonethatbenefitsallresidentsoftheregionandpromotesregionalresiliency.Whoisinvolved:

• TheHungerCoalitionstandsatthecenterofeffortstocreateaninclusivecommunityfoodsysteminBlaineCounty.Thisorganizationworkscloselywiththosewhoaremostmarginalized,soitiskeytoexpandinginclusiveness.

• TheBlaineCountySchoolDistrictalsoholdsconsiderablepowerandresponsibilityinthisissue,becauseWoodRiverresidentsallfeelthey“belong”totheschool.Schoolsaregatheringplacesthataresupportedbyallresidentsthroughtaxes.

• TheBlaineCountyFoodCouncilwasformedasaresultofTheHungerCoalition’seffortstoraisethevisibilityofhungeramongmarginalizedresidentsthroughtheBlaineCountyFoodSystemAssessment.Thisplacesbothpartnersinasolidpositiontotakeleadershipmovingforward.

• TheSunValleyInstituteanditsLocalFoodAlliancemayplayastrongroleiftheyareabletofocustheireffortsonlower-incomeHaileyandBellevueresidents,aswellasfarmers.StacyWhitmanofSVI,inparticular,hasbuiltstrongconnectionstoBlaineCountyschoolsthatcouldplayacentralroleinfosteringbroaderpubliceducation.OtherSVIstaffwouldparticipateasappropriate.

• AsoutlinedaboveinSection1,anewleadershipgroupshouldbeformedthatincludesallofthesepartnersaswellasmanyotherstakeholders(tobedetermined).


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Wherethiswillhappen:• EffortsshouldbefocusedonmakingdirectcontactwithresidentsofHaileyand

Bellevue,aswellasfarmersintheMagicValleyandFairfieldwhosupplyWoodRiverValleyRegionhouseholdswithfood.

• Ketchumwillplayastrongroleinpurchasingfood,andinensuringtheseeffortsarevisible,wellcoordinated,respectedbypoliticalleaders,andfinanciallysupported.

• Overtime,theinitiativewillalsoextendtothewholeofBlaineCounty.When:

• Thefoundationforthisworkshouldbelaidimmediately.• Thisislong-termworkandshouldbepursuedinacarefulandinclusivemanner.

Purposes:

• ToreframetheCommunityFoodsdiscussionsoitembracesallWoodRiverValleyRegionresidents,notsimplythosewhoarewelloff.

• Toengageresidentsatallincomelevels,andofallethnicities,increatingsolutionstohunger,affordabilityoffood,andfood-relatedillness.

• Tocreatea“bigpicture”visionthatwillanimatemoresuccessfulactivityandgreaterinclusivity,aswellascreatingapublicimagethatcaptureswiderattention.

SuccessMeasures:

• PercentofmembersofCommunityFoodsleadershipgroupwhoareworkingfarmers.• PercentofmembersofTheHungerCoalitionadvisorycouncilwhoarefoodrecipients.• PercentofBlaineCountypopulationwhoreceivefoodaidthroughSNAP,WIC,and

HungerCoalitionprograms.• DollarvalueofSNAPbenefitscomparedtonetcashfarmincome,1969tothepresent

(BureauofEconomicAnalysisregionaleconomicaccountsdata).• Percentoffoodrecipientswhoreport(inanannualsurvey)thattheycaneasilyaccessa

communitygatheringspacewheretheyfeelasenseofbelonging.• Percentoffoodrecipientswhoreportthattheyhaveformedapersonalconnectionwith

atleastonefarmerwhosuppliesfoodtoValleyhouseholds.• Percentoffoodrecipientswhoreportthattheyhaveattendedsomecommunity

buildingprogram(communitykitchenevents,communitymeals,nutrition/cookingtrainingclasses,etc.)

• Percentoffoodrecipientswhoreporttheypurchase$5offoodfromWoodRiverValleyRegionfarmseachweek,andtheamountsoffoodpurchased.

• PercentoffoodrecipientswhoreporttheyaresatisfiedwiththeirinteractionswiththeCommunityFoodsCollaboration.

• NumberofresidentswhoinvestinordonatetowardhungerrelieforthisCommunityFoodsCollaboration.

BackgroundandRationale:InadditiontopointingoutthatWoodRiverValleyRegioncommunityfoodsworkneedstoaccomplishclearresults,ourinterviewshighlightedthatonlyonesmallsegmentoftheWoodRiverValleyRegionpopulationhasbeenwellserved.Thosewhoarebestservedtodayarethosewholeastneedassistance:thosewhoarewelloff.WhileTheHungerCoalitionhasmadestrong


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connectionswithlow-incomeresidents,theyrecognizethereisstillmuchworktodo,andtheirconstituentshavefarlessaccessthanresidentswithmeans.Itisimportanttoreframethisactivitysothatthecommunityfoodsystemofthefutureisbuiltaroundthoseofmoremodestmeans.Ifthefoodsystemworksforthispopulation,itwillworkforwealthierresidentsaswell.Buttheoppositeisnottrue.ThiscanbestbeaccomplishedbycreatingabrandfortheWoodRiverValleyRegionthatexpressesthissenseofinclusivityandresilience.Whilebrandingexperts(andlocalresidents)shouldbebroughtintothedefinitionofthisbrandingcampaignsoitisasrootedincommunityandaseffectiveaspossible,itshouldconveythespiritofthetagline,“WoodRiverValley:WhereEveryoneEatsWell.”Takingthisstepiscriticaltomaintainingthelegitimacyandintegrityofcommunityfoodsactivity,butitalsoiscrucialforinclusivity.Currently,TheHungerCoalition(THC)serves19%oftheBlaineCountypopulation.Theycountamongtheirconstituentsthosewhoworkinthehospitalityindustry,aswellaspublicservantslikepolicemenandfiremen.YetTHCstaffreportthatrecipientsoftenfeelconsiderableshamewhentheycometopickupfooditems.Manydonothavetime,theskills,ortheutensils,topreparehealthyfoodathome.Inresponsetothis,THCisrampingupeffortstogrowmorefoodatitscommunityfarm,andtopurchasefoodfromlocalfarms.Theyalsoseektocreateacommunitygatheringpointwhereallresidentswillfeelcomfortable,andwhereresidentscanworktogethertocreatehealthymealsandeducatethemselvesaboutbetternutrition,andaboutlocalfarmsandfoodbusinesses.Thisexpandedfacilityislikelytoincludeadditionalwarehouse,cooler,andfreezerspace:preciselythekindsofspacethatMagicValleyandFairfieldfarmersrequiretostoretheirproductsintheHailey/Bellevuearea.Thephysicalopportunity,then,istocreateamulti-purpose,multi-stakeholdercommunitygatheringpoint.Theexactnatureofthisfacilitymustbedecidedbytheleadershipgroupinconcertwithlocalconstituentsandmustinvolvecarefulbusinessplanning.ThismightbelabeledasaFoodCenter,orconsideredaValleyResilienceCenter,orbemodeledafteraFolkSchool.11Severalofourintervieweessuggestedthatthisfacilitymightcombineseveralcomplementaryelements,dependingonfinancialfeasibility:

• Warehousespaceforstoringdryfoods• Coolerspaceforstoringperishablefoods• Freezerspace• Stagingareasandloadingdocks• Refrigeratedtrucksfortransportingfoodsafely• Communitykitchen/Trainingkitchen/Productionkitchen• Retailgrocerystore• Restaurant• Classrooms

11Asoneexample,seetheNorthHouseFolkSchoolinGrandMarais,Minnesota(www.northhouse.org).LiketheSunValleyregion,thisregionisbothatouristdrawandaplacewhereasignificantnumberofresidentsexperiencepoverty.


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• Communitygatheringspacethatwelcomesallresidents• Officesforfoodbusinessesandnonprofitsservinglow-income

Seealsopage36,EvaluatingtoPurposeandEvaluatingtoPragmatics.Developingsuchafacilitywillinvolveconsiderableexpense.Theactivitiesthattakeplaceinsidewillrequiresubsidy,justasfoodreliefeffortshaverequiredsubsidyinthepast.Yetinacommunitythatboastsabrand-newdogshelterandanewartsandperformancespace,amodelhasalreadybeenwellestablished:theregionwillinvestinbuildingsthatwillbothearnoperatingincomeandrequiresubsidy,toserveassymbolsoftheregion’shighqualityoflife.Certainly,asafarmcommunity,theWoodRiverValleyRegionshoulddonolessforitsfoodsystem.Yetaphysicalfacilitywilldonomorethanprovidealocationforactivity;specificactivitiesthemselvesmustalsobeundertaken,andresidentengagementmustbebuilt.ManyeffectiveprogramsarealreadybeingimplementedbylocalgroupssuchasTheHungerCoalition,localfarmers’markets,chefs,andbyfarmersthemselves.Bringingsomeoftheseintoacommonspaceshouldaddtotheirabilitytocoordinateefforts,andmayreducecosts.Toincreaseparticipation,wealsorecommendthattheWoodRiverValleyRegionmountan“Eat5,Buy5”campaignthatchallengesresidentstoeatbetterwhilestrengtheningthelocaleconomy.Thismessagingaskseachresidenttoeat5fruitsandvegetableseachdayforhealth,andtopurchase$5offoodeachweekfromafarmintheWoodRiverValleyRegion.Theimpactofsuchacampaigncouldbesignificant.IfeachBlaineCountyresidentdidpurchase$5offoodeachweekfromaWRVRfarmer,thesefarmerswouldearn$5.7millionperyear.SimilarcampaignshavebeenlaunchedbyruralcountiesinSouthwestColorado,andbecamethecentralthemeofaStateofAlaskapromotion.Itcouldalsobeusedbylocalgroupstomobilizetheirownconstituencies:somethingalongthelinesof“Let’sturnoutourneighborhood/church/organizationtoEat5,Buy5.”Activities:CriticaltodevelopingsuchaphysicalspacewillbeengagingthosewhomtheCenterhopestoserve.Thismeanscreatinganinclusivedialogueamongdiverseresidents,focusedatfirstonHaileyandBellevue,connectingthemwithfarmers,creatingavisionthatmostresidentscansupportandinvestin,animatingbroadpublicsupport(includingindividualandhouseholddonationssoresidentsfeelinvestedintheCenter),andoutreachcampaignsthatpublicizethebrandingoftheregionasaplacewhereallresidentseatwell.Toaccomplishthis,werecommendhostingeventsatTheHungerCoalition,BlaineCountyschools,theCommunityCenter,churches,andothergatheringpointswhereresidentsfeelsomesenseofbelonging.Schools,inparticular,areoftenplaceswherelow-incomeresidentsfeelsomesenseofownershipbecausetheirchildrenhaveattendedschools,andthefamiliespaytaxestosupportthem.


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Moreover,theBlaineCountyschooldistrictfoodservicedirectorofferedtohostsuchevents,andofferedfreeuseoftheirkitchensandcafeterias(thoughtheremaywellbejanitorialorotherfees).Onemodelforsucheventswouldbethis:

• HostmeetingsatseveraldifferentschoolstoengageresidentsinallpartsoftheCounty.• AsktheBlaineCountySchoolDistrictfoodservicedirectortoco-host.• Invite2-3chefsfromthecommunitytoprepareeachofthemeals,withthefoodservice

directorassisting,andlearningmoreaboutsourcingfoodfromlocalfarmsintheprocess.

• PurchasefoodfromfarmssupplyingtheWoodRiverValleyRegiontoserveatthemeal.• Invitethefarmerswhosuppliedthisfoodtoparticipatebyshowcasingtheirfarm,their

farmingpractices.Fromthis,eachparticipatingfarmmaybuildstrongerconnectionswithlocalfamilies.

• Highlightseasonalcropsastheyareharvestedinthetwovalleys.• Inviteselectedcommunitymemberstojoininthefoodpreparationandserving.12• Raisemoneytosubsidizeticketpricessoaworkingfamilycanaffordtocometothe

meal–perhapspricedat$5aperson/$15forafamily.• Duringeachgathering,solicitinputfromthosewhoattendregardingwhattheywould

mostvalueinafoodcenter,andhowtheywoulduseit.• Attheendoftheevent,TheHungerCoalitioncoulddonatefoodboxestoeachperson

whoattended,containingfoodfromthesamefarms,withrecipesforpreparation,andinformationabouthowtobecomeinvolvedinshapingandusingthefoodfacility.

• Duringtheweekofeachevent,teachersateachschoolcouldfeaturethesesamefoodsincurricularactivities,Atkinsons’Marketcouldinvitefarmerstoofferfoodsamples,andlocalmediawouldrunstories,sothateventhoseresidentswhocouldnotattendareabletoparticipateintheprocess.

• Thiseventcouldbecombinedwiththe“Eat5,Buy5”campaign.• Evaluatesuccessbyhandingoutasimple3-questionsurveytoparticipants,askingif

theymetsomeonetheydidnotknowbefore,andiftheyintendtomakecontactwithanyonewhoattendedinthenearfuture.Alsosolicitresidentperceptionsofthemealandthemeeting.

• Inthelongterm,itishopedthateventssuchasthesewouldhelpleadtothecreationofcommunitygatheringspaceswhereallfeelwelcome,andwherepeopleworktogethertohelpbuildamoreinclusivecommunityfoodsystem.

Otherpossiblevenuesforsucheventswouldbe:

• TheHungerCoalitionBloomCommunityFarm• SunValleyResortsEmployeeCafeteria(reopeningin2019afterremodeling)• Churches• Otherbusinesses,farms,andrestaurantsthatwishtoparticipate

12InoneVermontcommunitywherewehaveworked,acommunitymealprograminvitescivicleaderstoformtheirownkitchencrewtoworkwithacertifiedcheftopreparethemeal.Forexample,thefirechiefassemblesagroupoffriendswhocooktogether.


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BryanHostetler&LindsayMollineauxatKraay’sMarket&Garden(Bellevue)Photo:KenMeter,2018

3.WRVRWholesaleProducePartnership(WPP)

Whatitis:Aninitiativetobuildupon,andincreasetheimpactof,thecollaborationsalreadyundertakenbyMagicValleyfarmerstoconveytheirproductstowholesalemarketsintheWoodRiverValleyRegion.WhoisInvolved:FourtofivefarmsintheMagicValleyregionthatsellwholesaletoWoodRiverValleymarkets,withAmyMattiasofLocalFoodAlliance,Atkinsons’Market,TheHungerCoalition,andotherpartners.StacyWhitmanandAiméeChristensenofSVIwouldsupport.Wherethiswillhappen:MagicValleyregionfarms;WoodRiverValleyRegionwholesalebuyers;andWoodRiverValleyRegionresidents.When:Beginimmediatelytoensureforwardprogressforthe2019growingseason.Purposes:

• Toexpanddistributioncapacitybybuildingonexistingcollaborations.• Toincreasecoordinationofthesedeliveryefforts.• Toincreasesalesandpurchasesofwholesaleproduceitems.


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• Tobuildnetworksofmutualloyaltyengagingfarmers,wholesalebuyers,andhouseholdconsumers.

• Tobuildaresilientfoundationthatwillensureefficientwholesalefoodtradeforgenerationstocome,includingexpandedbusinessopportunities.

SuccessMeasures:

• SalesbypartnerfarmstoWoodRiverValleyRegionhouseholdandwholesalecustomers(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)

• PurchasesbypartnerbuyersfromMagicValleyandWoodRiverValleyRegionfarms(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)

• Freshfoodsconveyedbysale,barter,ordonationtoWoodRiverValleyRegionresidentslivingatorbelow185%oftheFederalPovertyLimit(valueindollars,aswellassalesunitssuchaspounds,bushels,cwt,etc.)

• Acresofsustainablyraisedproduceharvestedforthiscollaboration.• Socialandcommercialconnectionsbuiltthatengagefarmers,householdconsumers,

andwholesalebuyers.• Farmerandbuyerperceptionsofefficiencyoflogisticsoperations.

BackgroundandRationale:SeveralinitiativeshavebeenmountedinrecentyearstodevelopareliabledistributionnetworkthatwouldlinkWoodRiverValleyRegionwholesalerstoMagicValleyfarmers.Initialeffortswerefoundedonvolunteerenergy,andthisledparticipantstooptforamorecommercialapproachthatcouldpaysalaries.Yetthevehiclethatwaschosen,Idaho’sBounty,eventuallycollapsedfrommismanagement,breakdownsincommunication,andalackofintegrityfromstaff.Asaresult,participatingfarmerslostasmuchas$500,000,boththroughtheirinvestmentsinthebusinessandinproductsdeliveredtoIdaho’sBountythatwerenotpaidfor(Source:farmerinterviews).SincethecollapseofIdaho’sBounty,farmershavecarriedoutinformalcollaborationstodeliverproductstoWoodRiverValleymarkets.Onefarmthathascoldstoragecapacityinvitesapartnerfarmtostoreproductstherepriortodelivery.Farmerswithextratruckspaceoffertodeliverforanearbyfarmpartner.Onefarmhasaregularroute,bringingproductsfromitspartnerfarmtoKetchumandHailey.Thesecollaborationsworkbecausetheyarebuiltonsolidtrustfarmershavebuiltwitheachother,andbecausetheydonotrequiresignificantinvestmentinstaffingornewequipment.Thismakesthemsomewhatresilient,butalsovulnerable–atruckmaybreakdown,orafarmermaynotbeavailabletomakeadeliveryonagivenweek.Inaddition,buyersseekmorefrequentdeliveries.Farmerinterviewsrevealedthatlackofdistributionistheirnumberoneconcern.Theyalsosaidthisinvolvesnotjustthelogisticsofdeliveringfood,butalsosolidcommunicationsandcoordination.WhileIdaho’sBountymaintainedacommonwebplatformthatfacilitatedordering,therewasnoonewhomadesurethatfarmerskeptpostingsuptodate,anddeliverieswerenotalwaysmadeinatimelyfashionbythefirm.Oftenthereissimplyaneedforacoordinatortokeeptalkingtoallpartners,becausetheproduceindustrygenerallyrunsonoralcommitments,and


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peoplemustrespondtorapidlychangingconditions.Directdiscussionwouldalsohelpanticipatefuturedevelopments,andmakeplansthatadaptovertime.AnotherissueraisedwasthatIdaho’sBountybecameviewedassomethingseparatefromfarmers.Manyfarmers–eventhoughtheymayhaveservedontheboardorwereactiveinthecollaboration–consideredIdaho’sBountyanoutsideentity–a“they”–ratherthanfarmercollaboration–a“we.”Retainingsolidfarmerpoweroverthecollaborationiscritical.OneobserverwhowroteacasestudyofIdaho’sBountyin2015,AdamDiamond,wasenthusiasticaboutthefirmbutalsonotedthatithadattemptedtoreachtoomanymarketsatonce.IntryingtogainsalesinBoise,WoodRiverValley,andSaltLakeCityallatthesametime,salesstaffappeartohavespreadtheinitiativetoothin.Thisappearstobebackedupbyfarmers’experience.Iwastoldthatoften,moreeffortwentintotrackingdownnewaccountsthantofulfillingexistingordersreliably.Largerbuyerswereidentifiedattimeswhenfarmerscouldnotsupplythequantitydesired.Farmersdeliveredproductthatwasneverpaidfor.Staffspentfundsthatwerenotbeingearned.Mysenseofallthisisthatthenextphaseofthisworkshouldbuilduponthedistributiontechniquesthatfarmersalreadyuse,andthenmakethemstrongerbyincreasingcommunicationsandlogisticalcoordination.ThisworkshouldbefocusedsolelyonwholesaletradetoWoodRiverValleyRegionmarkets.Thisisnot,however,tosuggestthatthosefarmerswhofocusondirectmarketingbeexcluded.TheCommunityFoodsnetworkintheWoodRiverValleyRegionmustalsohelpcoordinatethedirecttradeifeffectivestrategiescanbedevised,throughthisorseparateinitiatives.Certainly,thosefarmerswhofocusondirectsalesmayharvestsurplusproductsthatcanbemovedthroughwholesaletrade.YetthepriorityoftheWPPinitiativeistomakesurethatthewholesaletradetoWoodRiverValleyRegionconsumerscanbesustainedonaconsistentbasis.Importantly,salestomoredistantorlargerwholesalebuyersareveryproblematictosustainovertime,unlessclearmutualloyaltyisbuiltwiththosebuyers.Thisisverychallengingtobuildwithdistantlyownedfirmsthatarefocusedsolelyonthebottomline.Whilethisisacollaborationamongfarmers,itiscriticalthattheidentityofeachfarmsupplyingproducebemadeknowntobothwholesalebuyersandhouseholdconsumers.ThisisrequiredbothforthevisibilityandloyaltythatfarmersneedinordertohaveWoodRiverValleyRegioncustomerscontinuetosupportthemovertime,andalsosofarmersobtainmaximumvaluefortheirproducts.Coordinationisnotafull-timejobatthispoint,norcanthecostsofstaffingthisrolebecoveredsolelybysellingproduce.Yetwithoutbettercoordinationoflogistics,farmerscannotsellmore.Withoutstrongercommitmentfrombuyers,farmersoftenfinditeasiertoselltomarketsinBoiseorevenCalifornia.ThismeansthattheWoodRiverValleyRegionmustinvestineffectivecollaborationtoensurethatitcanreliablyreceivefoodsfromMagicValleyfarmsovertime,budgetingforstaffingcostsassalesrise.


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Increasingfoodsalesisalsolikelytodependuponinvestmentsinsupportiveinfrastructure,suchascoldstorageoneachfarm,andatawarehouseintheHailey/Bellevueregion.Additionaltrucksarelikelytoberequiredtocomplementthosealreadyownedbyparticipatingfarmers.Takinganysuchstepsrequiressolidbusinessplanning.Activities:1.Establishbasicunderstandingsgoverningthecollaboration.

• MikeHeathandAmyMattiaswilltakethelead.StacyWhitmanwillsupportasneeded.• MikeandAmywillconveneotherMagicValleygrowersearlyin2019toestablish

workingunderstandingsforthe2019season.o JohnandBeckyKlimes,AgrarianHarvesto Cooper&FredBrossy,Ernie’sOrganicso NateJones,King’sCrownOrganicso Othersthatmaybedesired

• ItissuggestedthatAiméeChristensonoftheSunValleyInstitute/LocalFoodAllianceattendaconveningofthegrowersearlyintheprocess.

• Earlyintheprocess,AmyMattiasshouldmeetindividuallywithWoodRiverValleyRegionpartnerstoascertaintheirlevelofinterestinservingaspartners:

o LarryandSherryKraay,Kraay’sMarket&Gardeno TheHungerCoalition’o WhitandPeterAtkinson,Atkinsons’Marketso GinoPetosaorothersatCharlie’sProduceo SunValleyResortfoodserviceso Othersthatmaybedesired

Suggestedstartingpoint:

• ThiscollaborationisintendedtosupportwholesaletradefromMagicValleyfarmstoWoodRiverValleyRegionmarkets.

• Thiscollaborationinitiallywillfocusuponasmallnumberoffarmsthatcurrentlyengageinthistrade.

• Farmerswillplaythestrongestroleincoordinatingthiscollaboration.• Thiscollaborationisintendedtostrengthenexistingpartnershipsamongthegrowers

andbuyers,buildingafoundationforfurtherexpansionasconditionsallow.• Whileparticipatingfarmsarefreetoselltoothermarketregions(e.g.BoiseorSaltLake

City)andmayindependentlyselldirectlytoWoodRiverValleycustomers,resourcesdedicatedtothiscollaborativewillfocusonwholesaletradetoWoodRiverValleyRegionbuyers.

• Oncethishasbeenestablishedasasolidoperation,otherfarmersintheareamayparticipateinthiswholesaletradebyinvitationfromfoundingpartners.

• Foundingpartnerswilladoptclearcriteriaforjoiningasanewmemberofthiscollaborationbeforeinvitingnewmembers.

• MemberswilladoptaformalstatementcoveringwhattheWPPiscommittedto:o Transparencyamongallpartnersandthegeneralpublico Fairnessamongallpartners,especiallywithregardtopricing


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o Workinginpartnershiptobuildstrongmutualtrustandaccountabilityo One-person,one-vote(powerisnotbasedonhowmuchissold/purchased)o Collaboratewithothercommunitypartnersbasedonmutualinterestsin

strengtheningcommunity-basedfoodtradeo Pursueregenerativefarmingpracticeso Continuetobuildsoilhealthandorganicmattercontento Householdconsumersshouldknowthenameofeachfarmsupplyingspecific

productstothemthroughwholesalerso Otheragreementsthepartnerswishtomake

2.CompileInformation

• MikeHeathandAmyMattiaswillcompilebusinessrecordsfromIdaho’sBounty(contactlists,internetorderingplatform,experiencewithbuyers,etc.)anddrawfromthesetoestablishdatasetsfortheWPP.

• MikeHeathandAmyMattiaswillcompileaspreadsheetlistingwhichproductstheparticipatingfarmersgrow;howmanyacreseachiswillingtosetasidetoharvestforWoodRiverValleyRegionbuyers;anticipated2019deliveries;howtheseproductsarecurrentlydeliveredtobuyers;preferreddatesofdelivery;preferredprices;etc.

• Thiscollaborationislikelytofocusonasmallnumberofproducts(<10)atfirst(potatoes,onions,squash,etc.)

• Theseproductsarealreadygrownforwholesalebyparticipatingfarmers;itisunlikelythatnewproductswouldbeaddedtothelistin2019,butmaybeinlateryears.

• Eachfarmwouldsellitsownproductsunderitsownfarmname;thecollaborativewouldnottakeownershipoftheproduct.Acommonbrandmightbeexploredoncethecollaborativehasestablishedafirmfooting,butthisbrandingshouldincludethenamesofeachfarmoneachproduct.

• AmyMattiasandStacyWhitmanshouldtakethislisttowholesalebuyers(orameetingshouldbeheldwithfarmersandbuyerstogether)tolearnwhatcommitmentsbuyersarewillingtomaketopurchasetheseitems,bothintermsofquantityandprice.Theyshouldthenpopulatetheirspreadsheetwiththeseitems,includingpreferreddeliverydates,storageavailable,minimumandmaximumprices,additionalquantitiesthatmaybesought,forward-contractingoptions,etc.)

• AmyMattiasmaywishtoproduceamapshowingthefarmersinvolvedanddistributionnetworksthatalreadybringproduceintotheWoodRiverValleyRegionmarkets.Thiswouldbeusefulinshowingstrengthsandgapsinlogisticsandmarketchannels.

• AmyMattiasandStacyWhitmanshoulddeveloparecord-keepingsystem,perhapsonapassword-protectedwebsite,thatallowstheWPPcollaborativetotrackwhathasbeencommitted,ordered,sold,anddelivered.ThismayinvolveupdatingtheorderingplatformusedbyIdaho’sBounty,oritmaybeadifferentinformationsystem.

• AmyMattiasshouldworkwitheachfarmertoaccountforalldeliverycostsassociatedwitheachvehicle,accountingforvehicleoperationcosts,fuelrequired,maintenance,drivertime,lengthofjourney,etc.Thisshouldbedistilleddowntoacostpermile(andcostperpound)foreachvehicle.Thisinformationwillallowthecollaborativetobetterunderstandwhichvehiclesshouldcarrywhichproducts,andwillalsohelptounderstandwhetheradditionalcapacityisrequired.


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3.CreateaBusinessPlan

• AmyMattiasandMikeHeathshoulddrawupontheabovematerialtocreateasimplebusinessplan(StacyWhitmanwillsupportthiswork)thatwillinclude:

o Minimumandmaximumpricesforeachproducttobesoldo Anticipatedquantitiestobesoldtoeachbuyero Tentativescheduleofdeliverydatesbasedonanticipatedharvestandavailable

storageo Projectedincomefromthesesalesfor2019o Projectedexpensesforachievingthesesalesfor2019

• Allgrowersshouldreview,revise,andapprovethisbusinessplan.

4.ImplementthePlan

• AmyMattiasshouldcalleachgrower(orviceversa)atleastonceeachweekduringthegrowingseasontocheckinaboutgrowingconditions,anysurprisesthatmayaffectdeliverydates,howgrowersfeelabouthowwellthepartnershipisworking,etc.

• Eachgrowerwillberesponsibleforputtingeachdeliverytogetherandconveyingittotheappropriatedeliverypoint;Amywillkeepconversingtoeachgrowerandbuyertomakesureallflowssmoothly,andthatnewsofanyinterruptionscanbeconveyedtoeachbuyerasearlyaspossible.

• AmyMattiasandStacyWhitmanwillcompileevaluationdata(asshownabove;tobemodifiedbygrowers)thatwillhelpfarmersassesstheprogressofthecollaborationovertime.Thesedatawillbesharedwithallgrowers.

5.Anticipatefutureneeds

• Growerssaythatonestronglimitingfactoristheavailabilityofpersonneltodriveatruck,handlefoodsafely,andmakeconsistentdeliveries.Findingortrainingareliablepart-timedriverwillbeapriority.

• AmyMattiasandMikeHeathshouldmeetperiodicallythroughthegrowingseasontoevaluatehowthedistributionsystemisworking,anticipatechangingconditions,consideradditionsininfrastructure,etc.

• Allgrowersshouldmeettogetheratleastonceeachyeartoassesshowwellthesystemisworking,discusschangeswithbuyers,considerfutureneeds,etc.

• Inthelongterm,itwouldbedesirabletohavedryandcoldstorageoneachfarm,aswellasalargerdrystoragewarehouseandcoldstorageintheHailey/Bellevuearea.Thiswouldprovidegreaterresiliencyinshippingandreceiving.JamonFrostensonofLoganicsinFairfieldofferedtobuildsuchstoragefacilitiesusinghisinsulatedpanelconstruction,andofcourseotherlocalcraftsmenmightbeengaged.

• Inthelongterm,itisassumedthatadditionalrefrigeratedtrucksofvarioussizesmaybeneeded.


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• Thecollaborationshouldexploreraisingfundstoallowforwardcontractingforspecificfooditemsthatmaybedesiredbybuyers,ortopursueotherwaysofreducingandsharingrisk.

• Eachyearduringwintermeetings,changestothepartnershipmaybeaddressedasneeded.TheBusinessPlanwillthenbeformallyrevisedtoaccountfornewapproachestaken.

• Anynewinfrastructurepurchasesshouldbetakenincoordinationwithothercommunitypartners(i.e.,couldalargerwarehousebesharedwithKraay’sMarket&Garden,TheHungerCoalition,orAtkinsons,etc.)

KatieZubia,WoodRiverFarmers’Marketboardpresident(Bellevue)Photo:KenMeter,2018

4.SolidifythestatusofWoodRiverFarmers’MarketsBackgroundandRationale:ThefutureoftheWoodRiverFarmers’MarketinKetchumbecamesomewhatprecariousin2018afterseveralbusinessescomplainedtoCityofficialsthatmarketshoppersatitsTownSquarelocationwerecreatingdifficultiesbycompetingwithothershoppersforparkingspacesandplacingbigdemandsonrestroomfacilities.Onefirmevenclosedforbusinessonmarketdays,sayingitwastoodifficulttoconductbusiness.Asaresult,theMayorhassuggestedmovingthemarketinKetchumtoadifferentlocationneartheForestServicePark.Thesemovesbroughtconsiderableconsternationtofarmersandfoodleadersalike.TheproposednewmarketlocationisnotascentrallylocatedasTownSquarenorasvisible,sofarmersfeelthiswillharmtheirsales.Farmersalsowarnedthatmovingthemarketawayfromdowntownwouldharmdowntownbusinessesevenmore,becausemanymarketshoppersalsopatronizedowntownstores.Oneremindedthat,afterall,thefarmers’marketwasoriginally


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invitedtooccupyTownSquarepreciselytocreatefoottrafficonacommercialdaythatwasoftenrelativelyslow—andisnotviewedasanidealmarketdaybyfarmers.Moreover,theCity’sprocessformakingdecisionsaboutthemarketiscausingdeepconcern.FoodleaderssaidthattheannouncementoftheproposedmovewasmadeataCityCouncilmeetingwithnoadvancenotice,soMarketleaderswerenotabletoattend.ManysaidtheywerenotclearwhattheCouncil’sdiscussionentailed,orifformalactionwastaken.TheMayortoldfarmersthathewouldtakechargeofthedecision,buthisauthoritytodosowasnotcleartosomefoodleaders.SeveralofthefarmerswhotriedtocontacttheMayorfelthewasnotresponsivetotheirconcerns.Itisbeyondthescopeofthisstudytofullyunderstandthestepstakeninthisdecisionprocess,butthisdiscussiondoesindicatethatthefarmers’marketrequiresmuchstrongerpoliticalsupportinKetchum.Therearealsoconcernsaboutstrengtheningthefarmers’marketinHailey.Certainlyavibrantfarmers’marketinHaileycouldbeanimportantattractorinbrandingtheregionasaplacewhereallresidentseatwell.Ontheotherhand,somehavesuggestedthattheKetchumandHaileyfarmers’marketsshouldbeconsolidated,andmovedtoalocationsomewherebetweenthetwocities,sothatfarmersandconsumerscouldcongregateinasinglelocationononedayoftheweek.AllthissuggeststhatSunValleyInstitute’sLocalFoodAllianceanditspartnershaveanimportantroletoplayinmakingsurethatcivicleadersunderstandandactupontheimportancethatfarmersandthefoodstheygrowhavetotheKetchumcommunity.Itwillbeimportanttobuildalong-termvisionfortheFarmers’MarkettoserveasacriticalpartoftheKetchumeconomy,aswellastotheHailey/Bellevuearea.SunValleyInstitutehasexpressedinterestinworkingwithcommunitypartnerstomountsuchaneffort,describedbelow.Whatitis:StrengthenthestatusoftheWoodRiverValleyFarmers’MarketinbothKetchumandHailey.Whoisinvolved:

• WoodRiverFarmers’Marketboardofdirectors• FarmerswhosellateithertheKetchumorHaileymarkets• Consumerswhovaluepurchasingfooddirectlyfromfarmers• Chefswhopurchaseatthefarmers’market• SunValleyInstitute/LocalFoodAlliance• BlaineCountyFoodCouncil• Otherkeypartnersasidentified

Wherewillthishappen:Ketchum.OvertimethediscussionshouldalsoencompassplanningforstrengtheningtheHaileyFarmers’Marketaswell.


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When:Immediately.Purposes:

• BuildpoliticalsupportforWoodRiverFarmers’MarketsinbothKetchumandHailey• Ensuretheseareviewedasimportanteconomicenginesandcommunitygathering

pointsintheValley.SuccessMeasures:

• ValueoffoodsoldatWoodRiverFarmers’Marketeachyear• Surveyresponsesfromfarmersindicatingtheyaresatisfiedwithmarketlocation,rental

rates,customerbase,outreach,etc.Activities:

• CommunitypartnersmeetwiththeboardofdirectorsoftheWoodRiverFarmers’MarketandstrategizehowbesttosupporttheBoardasitnegotiatestermswiththeCityofKetchumforthe2019marketseason.

• SympatheticmembersoftheKetchumCityCouncilshouldbeenlistedtorepresenttheinterestoffarmers.

• Farmersmaywellrequirelegalsupporttoensurethatdueprocessisfollowed.• SVI/LFAcouldplayarole,ifrequested,ofgatheringpublicsupportintheKetchum

communityformakingsurefarmers’needsaremet.• Outreachcampaignsmightinvolveflyers,posters,socialmediaannouncements,special

events,etc.• AsthestatusoftheMarketfor2019isstabilized,WoodRiverFarmers’Marketandits

partnersshouldopenadiscussionaboutthelong-termfutureoftheMarket.o IstheMarketinitsbestpossiblelocation?o Cantrafficandparkingconcernsbeameliorated?o IsTuesdaytheoptimaldayfortheMarkettobeheld(itisbuiltintomany

schedules,butalsodifficultforsomefarmerstoattend)?o Ifnot,setabetterday(BoisemarketisSaturdaywhichmakesitdifficultfor

farmerstocometoKetchum).o WhatrolecouldtheHaileymarketplayinthenewbrandingoftheWoodRiver

ValleyRegionasaplacewhereeveryoneeatswell?o Whatcriticalrolescanfarmers’marketsplayinensuringopenaccesstolower-

costfreshfoodstoallHaileyandBellevueresidents?o WoulditbeadvisabletomergetheHaileymarketwiththeKetchummarket?o Howmightthefarmers’marketsbecombinedwithcoldstorageorvegetable

processinginitiativesalsobeingcontemplated?


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NateJones,King’sCrownOrganics(KingHill) PhotobyKenMeter,2018

Additionalinitiativescurrentlyunderway:

Evaluatethesepromisinginitiatives(andothersthatarestilltocomeforward)basedontheirefficacyinstrengtheningCommunityFoodTrade:EvaluatingthePurposes

• Haveresidentsexpressedaclearinterestin,andneedfor,theinitiative?• Isthisinitiativelikelytoprovidefoodforanyresidentatanyincomelevel?• Willthisworkbringpeopletogetheracrosssocialdivides?• Howwillthishelpbuildbusinessclusters,collaborations,andnetworks?• Howwillitbuildmutualloyaltyamongfarmersandconsumers?

EvaluatingthePragmatics

• Hasaqualifiedanddedicatedleadercommittedtorunningthisinitiative?• Issufficientcapitalavailabletolaunchorexpandthisoperation?• Howwidespreadisresidentinvestmentintheeffort?• Isthereaclear,practicalstrategic/businessplaninplace?• Whataretheprojectedoperatingcosts?• Wherewillrawmaterialscomefrom,andwhatpercentagewillbegrowninsidethe

community?• Willthepropermixofearnedincome(throughsales)andphilanthropicsupport(ifany)

beavailabletocovertheseoperatingcosts?


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Thefollowingarenotlistedinanyspecificorderofpriority.1.InitiativesthatprovidestrongopportunitiesforcollaborationTheHungerCoalitionExpansion

• THChasexpandeditsboardandseekstomakeitevenmorediverse,withstrongerrepresentationofthecustomersitserves

• Thisfoodrelieforganizationhaswellestablishedconnectionstolower-incomeresidentsandtodonors

• Notingthatmanyconstituentsfeelashamedofneededfoodaid,THCaimstocreateawelcomingandinclusivecommunitygatheringspace

• Limitedinitswarehouseandstoragecapacity,THCwishestoexpandintolargerfacility(warehouse,classrooms,communitykitchen,gatheringspace)

• StaffexpressedstrongwillingnesstoexpandincollaborationwithcommunitypartnersGrainCollaborative

• Asnotedabove,BrettStevensonislaunchingHillsideRanchFlour&Grainin2019• Inthefuture,thismayincludeamalthouse• Millingholdsstrongpotentialforcreatingcollaborationsamongfarmers,bakers,

restaurants,andstores(forexample,artisanalbreadusinggrainfromasinglenamedfarmthatisservedbylocalchefsandavailableatstores)

• StevensonenvisionsthiseffortlaunchingaGrainLabintheValley,modeledafterTheBreadLabatWashingtonState,thatwouldbeaplacewhereresearch,development,andeducationcanoccur

ProteinCollaborative

• MattLuck,ownerofPrideofBristolBay,hasdevelopedaconceptforjointdirectmarketingoflocallyraisedproteinsandseafood

• Currently,salmon,beef,pork,andlambaredirectmarketedtoconsumers,butbyeachentityorfarmseparately

• Luckenvisionsthecreationofacommoninternetorderingplatform• Householdcustomerswouldplaceordersatthissite,selectingproteinproductsfrom

anyparticipatingproducertheyselect• Eachoftheseproducerswoulddelivertheseorderstoasinglelocationonasingleday

(LucksuggestedperhapsOctober1eachyear)• Customerswouldcometothislocationonthatdaytopickuporderstotakehome• Luckwouldpreferthatsomeoneyoungerlaunchandrunthisoperation

Increasemilkdistribution

• PhilChristensenofOldAlmoCreameryproducesorganicmilkandbottlesitonthefarm• HesaysOldAlmo’sretailpricesarelowerthanprevailingretailpricesfororganicmilk• Growthofthefarmoperationislimitedbydistributioncapacity• Christensenoftendeliversmilkhimself• HehasjoinedwithvegetablegrowersintheMagicValleytoshipmilkcollaboratively• Christensenwouldprefertohireadeliveryservice


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Blaine1%Fund:

• FinancialplannerandinvestorMarkGeorgeislaunchingalocalinvestmentfundinKetchum

• Georgeiscurrentlyassemblingagroupofinitialinvestorswhowouldinvestabout$5,000each

• Focusofthefundwillbeonfood,homelessness,andrenewableenergy• Georgewantstostartsmallbutseesgreatpotential

SunValleyResortemployeecafeteria

• Theemployeecafeteriaisbeingremodeledandwillre-openearlyin2019• ThisfacilityispartofSunValleyResorts(SVR)brandingitselfasasustainablecenter• SVRserves400mealsperdayhereandchargesemployeesonlythecostofthefood

served• MattRobinsonoftheKonditereiexpressedawillingnesstoexplorewiththecafeteria

foodservicedirectorwhetherthisfacilitycouldfeaturefoodfromlocalfarmsonitsnewmenu.

• TheHungerCoalitionexpressedinterestindoingoutreachhere,sincemanyemployeesarealsocustomersofTHC.

• AstheWholesaleProducePartnershipbuildsitsbusiness,itshouldbeabletosupplySVR,shouldSVRwishtopurchasethroughWPP.

• SVRalsoreliesuponaSaltLakeCitydistributionserviceExtenddirectmarketing

• FarmersinWRV,Hagerman,Buhl,Fairfield,Emmett,etc.areeffectivelysellingdirectlytohouseholdcustomers,butalsofindthisconsumesconsiderabletimeandmoney.

• Idaho’sBountywasformedin2007inanefforttofacilitatedeliveriestohouseholdcustomers,butmovedtoawholesalemodel,andthenfloundered

• OnceasolidcoordinatingentityhasbeenbuiltthroughtheWholesaleProducePartnership,theCommunityFoodsWorkingGroupshouldexplorewaystobetterconnectfarmerstoresidentsofHailey,Bellevue,TwinFalls,Fairfield,Buhl,etc.

• Brandingcampaigns,unifiedorderingplatforms,andcommunityeventscanhelpcreategreatervisibilityandstrongerconsumerloyaltyforthesefarmers

• Supportiveinfrastructurewillberequired,suchason-farmcoldstorage,Bellevue/Haileycoldstoragefacilities,freezerspace,warehousespace,refrigerateddeliverytrucks,driverstrainedforsafefoodhandling,farmlabor,andmore

• Thereislikelytobeaneedtosubsidizesalestolower-incomeresidentsthroughTheHungerCoalition

• Kraay’sMarket&Gardenhasdevelopedagreatdealoftrustwithfarmers,andwantstoexpanditscoldstorageandwarehousecapacitytoservemorefarmersandhouseholdconsumers

• AsTheHungerCoalitionexpandsitsstorageanddeliverycapacity,communityfoodleadersshouldexplorewhethertherecouldbesynergyinbuildingsharedstoragespacesanddeliveryroutes

• Forexample,onefoodstoragefacilityinBellevueorHaileywouldserveasaconvenientdrop-offpointforfarmers,couldexpandthecapacityofKraay’sMarket&Garden,and


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couldstrengthentheworkofTheHungerCoalition,andperhapshelplocalretailers,allwithasingleinvestment

TheWoodRiverLandTrust:

• WoodRiverLandTrustalreadyholdsownershipoffarmlandthatitprotectsforagriculturaluse

• WRLTsaysitiswideopentofurthercollaborations• WRLTalsohasanongoingpartnershipwiththeSouthIdahoLandTrust

TheNatureConservancy:

• TheNatureConservancyalsowantstoprotectfarmland• Conductingafive-yearpilotintheSnakeRiverareatotransitionaranchfrom

conventionaltosustainableag• AlsoworkingwithaBellevuelandownertomovetowardregenerativeagandmeasure

soilhealth• Implementingawaterstrategyacrossthestate• TNCownsaplotoflandneartheairportandisexploringthecreationofanorchardon

thesite• Itsoutreachpriorityistohosteventsthatare“funandbringpeopletogether”

TheQuigleyFarm

• TheSageSchoolwillgetpermanenthomeintheQuigleyFarmdevelopment• HarryWeekes,schooldirector,isalsooneofthedevelopersoftheentireproperty,

whichwillincludenewhousingaswellasfarmland• Thedevelopmentisintendedtoprotectfarmlandandopenrecreationspacewhilealso

fundingfuturecommunityimprovementeffortsasnewhomesaresold• Developersembracetheconceptofgrowingfoodforlocalresidentsonthefarm• TheSageSchoolseekstopartnerwithothercommunitygroupsasitbuildsitsnew

facilityEducatestudentsaboutcropsthatgrowwellinRegion

• IfthereisgoingtobeastrongcommunityfoodsystemintheValleyregion,residentswillovertimehavetomakeapriorityofpurchasingandeatingthefoodsthatcaneasilybegrownhere–onions,potatoes,squash,cabbage,kale/greens,meats,berries,apples,beans,grains,tomatoes,peppers,etc.

• Educationtowardthisendisalreadyunderwayintheschools;thisisonecriticalplaceforfosteringaculturethatappreciatesfarmersandwhatisgrownlocally

• Onekeyelementofthisisunderstandingwhichfoodsareharvestedinwhichseason• Anotherkeyelementismakingsurestudentsknowandsupportfarmersintheregion• Communityeventscanraisevisibilityandbringpeopletogethertocookandenjoythese

foods• BuildingacultureoffoodcenteredaroundthefoodsthatgrowwellinWRVwillbe

crucialtolong-termresilienceofthecommunityfoodsystem


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1,000SpringsMill(Buhl) PhotobyKenMeter,20182.InitiativesthatarelikelytomoveforwardontheirownMeatslaughterhouse

• JoshHaleofElkhornRanchSouthplanstobuildameatslaughterandprocessingfacilityinMackay.

• Thislocationisremotefrommostproducers,butveryclosetoElkhornRanchSouthonlandthefamilycurrentlyowns.

• Halesayshehasinvestmentcapitalavailable.• Halesaysthatthereareenoughfarmlaborersnearthatlocationtoprovideasuitable

workforcefortheplant.• Thefinalsizeandscaleoftheplantisyettobedetermined.• Haleworksquiteindependently,yetisalsoopentoinsightsfromothers.• Localfoodleadersmaypotentiallyplayanimportantroleinbringingprofessional

expertisetofacilitatethisprocess,andensuringthatitaugmentsotheractivityperformedunderthisStrategicPlan.

1,000SpringsMill

• TimCornieofBuhlwasabletopurchaseone-halfoftheformerSenecavegetablepackingplantinBuhlonveryfavorableterms.

• TammaraBeckservesasCFO.• Theyhaveformed1,000SpringsMillinsidethebuilding.• Theirsectionofthecampusincludesonlydrystorage.• Theyhaveinstalledmillingandcleaningequipmentinthefacility.• Observersnotethattheyhavesomeofthemostadvancedgraincleaningequipment

available.


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• 1,000Springsisalreadycleaninggrainforseveralnearbyfarms,andhopestopartnerwithmoregrowersovertime.

• Primaryfocusisonlarge-scaleprocessingofgrainsandseedsgrowninimmediateareaandsoldtodistantcustomers

• WhileTimandTammaraarehappytobehelpful,theydidnotviewtheiroperationashavingacloseconnectionwithcommunityfoodsefforts.

CulinaryInstitute

• HarryGriffithandSunValleyEconomicDevelopmenthaveteamedupwithseveralInvestorshopingtobuildafacilitythatcantrainfoodpreparationworkerswhohopefullywilllandjobsintheSunValleyhospitalityandresortindustry.

• Thisisfurtherviewedasawaytocreatea“fooddestination”inKetchumthatwouldattractvisitorsandcelebritychefs.

• Griffithreportsthataboutone-thirdofthe$750,000requiredtoopentheInstitutehasbeencommitted.

• Onepromisingdowntownsiterecentlybecameunfeasible.AsofJanuary,2019,theInstitutewillbetemporarilyhousedintheformerElkhornSpringsRestaurantinSunValleyfor12to18months.ThegoalistoeventuallymovetheInstitutetodowntownKetchum.

• Recognizingthatthemanyculinaryschoolshaveclosedbecausestudentswereleftsaddledwithdebtandtrainedonlyforlower-leveljobs,theSunValleyCulinaryInstituteplanstoofferscholarshipstostudentswhorequireaidsotheywillnotneedtotakeondebt.

• Suchaninstitutecouldserveasaresourceforcommunityfoodsactivities,buttheprimaryfocusoftheinitiativeisontheresortindustryofSunValley.

• LocalFoodAllianceandTheHungerCoalitionmightplayaroleincoordinatingthisinitiativewiththeCollegeofSouthernIdaho’sculinaryprogramtominimizeduplicationofeffortsorcompetitionforfunds.

Growmoreproduceingreenhouses/hoophouses

• WhiletheshortgrowingseasonintheWoodRiverValleyisnotaseverelimitingfactor(evenregionsintheUSwithfourgrowingseasonsexperiencesimilardifficultiesensuringthatfoodfromlocalfarmsgetstolocalconsumers),13itisstilldesirabletoextendthegrowingseasonaspossibletoallowmoreresidentstoaccessfreshfoods.

• Oneseverelimitationofgreenhouseorhoophouseproductionispayingfortheenergyrequiredtoheateachbuilding.

• Thismakesthosegreenhousesandhoophousesthatrunonrenewableenergymorecompetitive.

• Severalpeoplementionedtheywouldliketoseegrowerstakeadvantageofthermalheatfromhotsprings

• Advancedtechnology(efficientconstruction,electroniccontrols,etc.)mayhelpensurereliability

13SeeMakingSmallFarmsIntoBigBusiness(www.crcworks.org/scfood.pdf);Hawai‘iFoodForAll(www.crcworks.org/hifood.pdf);andBuildingCommunityNetworksThroughCommunityFood(www.crcworks.org/azmaricopa18.pdf).


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• JamesReedraisesbiodynamicproduceinhoophousesinHagerman;thelateMattMorangrewfoodinsideanewlybuiltgreenhousemakingconsiderableuseofpassivesolarheatandelectroniccontrols;MarkCaraluzzihopestoconstructaverticalgreenhouseinKetchum;andJamonFrostensonraisesgreensandotherproduceinenclosed,insulated,andLED-litbuildingshehasconstructedhimselfnearFairfield.

• SeeAppendixC[XX]forareviewofrecentliteraturecomparingnutritionalvalueoffoodsgrowninsoilwiththoseraisedhydroponically;thereissignificantcontroversyaroundtheseissues.

4.OtheropportunitiesWoodRiverSustainabilityCenter

• WoodRiverSustainabilityCenteroperatesinaformerForestServicebuildinginHailey.• Primarybusinessiscateringforevents;alsoprovidesdailylunchesforCommunity

School.• Thebuildinghasrefrigeratedfoodstorage,acommercialkitchen,andretailspace.• Thestoresellsasmallnumberoffoodsraisedonlocalfarms,andalsosellssourdough

breadbakedinhouse.• Severalintervieweessuggestedthatthiscombinationofstoragespace,kitchen,and

storeservesasanexampleofwhatalargerfacilitymightoffer.Rent“corners”ofcenterpivotfields

• Forseveralyears,therehavebeeninformaldiscussionsofmakinglandatthe“corners”offieldsirrigatedwithcenterpivots(thosesectionsofeachfieldthatarenotcoveredbytherotatingsprinklersystems)availableforusebyemergingfarmerswhoneedland.

• PatPurdyiswillingtomakelandavailabletofarmerswhomightwishtorentlandonhisfarm.Hismotivationisthatheoftencanearnmorerentingoutthislandthanbytryingtofarmit.Hesayshewouldhavemultiplesitesonlandheowns,andthatneighborswouldhaveothers.

• Someofthese“corners”haveaccesstoirrigationwater,ifpipesaretapped.• Someofthesesiteslackwater.• Becausethesesitesarescattered,somecoordinationmaybeneededtoconnect

farmerswithland,toconnecteachplotwithwater,tobuildtoolshedsand/orfoodstoragefacilitiesthatdonotinterferewithcenterpivots,andtocoordinatedistributiontomarkets.

Expandcomposting

• CompostingintheValleyappearstobelimitedbytheextentthatmunicipalandprivatehaulerscollectorganicmaterialsforcompost.

• Workingwithmunicipalofficialstoensurethatallorganicwastematerialsarecompostedcouldbeimportant,ifonlytoadequatelyrecycleorganicwastesandkeepitfromlandfills.

• Theprimarymarketforcurrentcompostmaterialishouseholdgardenersandsmallfarms;thereisinsufficientsupplyfor(andlimiteddemandfrom)commercialgrowers.


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• Manycommercialgrowerswhowishtousecompostarecapableofproducingtheirown.

• Somearealandscapersarepurchasingcompostaswell

GreenhouseatMorningstarArisingFarms(Bellevue) PhotobyKenMeter,2018


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AppendixA:QualitiesoftheExistingCommunity-BasedFoodSystem

AllcommentsbelowaretakenfrominterviewswithfoodsystemleadersidentifiedbytheLocalFoodAllianceandtheBlaineCountyFoodCouncil.Somehavebeen

paraphrasedforclarity,ortoprotectaperson’sidentity.Someareinconsistentwitheachother.Wecannotguaranteetheaccuracyofallstatements.

Thelistbelowmaybeexpandedbylocalstakeholdersasneeded.

Thisisonlyastartingpointinidentifyingassets,weaknesses,opportunities,andobstacles,andreflectscommentsmadeinourinterviewsof61foodleaders

Rankingof“key”qualitiesmadebyConsultant.

Strengths&AssetsoftheRegion’sCommunityFoodSystem:KeyAssets:

• TheWoodRiverValleyRegionholdsastrongheritageoffarming• Regionresidents“havethemindsettoeathealthier,locallyraisedfood”• Ketchum/SunValleyhasanexceptionalcoreofdonorswhohaveinvestedinthe

broadercommunityAdditionalAssetsandStrengths:Favorableconditionsforfarming

• Goodsoil• Soil-healthimprovementinitiativesarealreadyunderway• Considerablelandhasbeencertifiedorganic14• Wegrowadiversityofcrops• Dryclimatereducespestanddiseasepressureonfarmers• “Amplewaterinseveralplacesincludingbothartesianandtraditionalirrigation”• “Foradesertarea,waterresourcesaregood”(thoughthereareconcernsaboutwater

quality)• “Farmershavealreadymadean$18-millioninvestmentinwaterinfrastructure”• “Theregionhasexcellentgroundforgrazingcattle”andalongtraditionofanimal

husbandry• “Farmsgrowhigh-qualityforageonayear-roundbasis”• “500,000cattlegrazeintheWoodRiverValley”• ThetopfouragriculturalcountiesinIdaho(rankedbysales)areinSouthernIdaho–

Cassia,Gooding,Jerome,andTwinFallsCounties• SouthernIdahohasbeenrecognizednationallyasafoodprocessingcenter• Severalstate-certifiedmeatprocessorsofferservicesthatarewelllikedbyfarmers• TheValleyholdswildlifehabitat,especiallyinriverfloodplainsandinremotemountain

areas

14TheUSDACensusofAgricultureshows16farmswith10,960acresoforganicproductioninBlaineCountyasof2007;similardatawerenotcompiledfor2012.


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Consumerinterestinpurchasingfromlocalfarmsisexpanding• “InterestinhealthyfoodhasspreadfromSunValleytotherestofthecounty”• Residentswhohavehadcancerknowthebenefitsofeatinghealthierfoods• Manyresidentswhocareabouthealthyfoodgrowtheirowngardens• Anumberofresidentshold“considerableenthusiasmtocreate”communityfoodtrade• Consumersarelookingforfoodfromlocalfarms(thoughthesearemostlyconsumers

withfinancialmeans,andmostresidentsseemtoshoponlyonprice)• Farmers’marketshelpfarmersandsmallprocessorstobuilddirectconnectionswith

consumers,whichisespeciallyimportantforastartup• TheFairfieldFarmers’Marketreportsrisingsales

SeveralfarmsalreadyproducefoodforWoodRiverValleyRegionresidents

• Acoreoffarmsproducefoodfordirectsaletohouseholds• Severalexperiencedfarmsgrowfoodatthewholesalelevel

TheWoodRiverValleyRegionhasalonghistoryofensuringfoodaccess

• TheHungerCoalitionservesoneofeveryfivepeopleinBlaineCounty,andhasbuiltconsiderableconnectionwithlow-incomeresidents

• TheHungerCoalitionalsoholdsextensiveexperienceinwarehousing,shipping,anddistributingfoodsafely

• TheHungerCoalitionispraisedforitsabilitytomobilizevolunteers• TheBlaineCountyFoodSystemAssessment(2015)highlightedissuesofpovertyand

inequalityintheCounty15Theregionholdspracticalexperienceinfooddistribution

• Severalfarmerspartnereffectivelywitheachother• Farmersandbuyershavealllearnedfrompriorsuccessesandfailures,notablythe

collapseofIdaho’sBounty

Anetworkofcommunityfoodsystemleadersisinplace• SeveralfarmersreportthatAtkinsons’Markethasgoneoutoftheirwaytopurchase

foodfromtheirfarms• Muchoftheongoingcollaborationisinformal• TheBlaineCountyFoodCouncilhasbeenorganizedsince2015,anditsmonthly

meetingsprovidearegularforumforsharedideasandcollaboration• TheHungerCoalitioneffectivelyaddressesissuesofpoverty• LocalFoodAlliancewasfoundedin2013andhasworkedtoincreasedemandforlocal

foods,promotelocalfarmsandfoodbusinesses,andeducateconsumersaboutfood. .In2016,LFAbeganaprocessofintegratingwiththeSunValleyInstituteforResilience;duringthesummerof2018LFAformallybegantooperateastheSVIfoodprogram.

Manycommunitygroupssupportagriculture

• “TheBlaineCountyplanispro-agriculture”

15TheHungerCoalition(2015).BlaineCountyCommunityFoodAssessment.


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• Severalagenciesandnonprofits,includingWoodRiverLandTrust,SouthIdahoLandTrust,TheNatureConservancy,andQuigleyFarmproject,havetakencriticalstepstoprotectfarmland

• TheWoodRiverLandTrusthaspursueda“communityconservation”approachbyformingpartnershipswithothercommunitygroups

Theregiondrawsnewresidentseachyear

• TheWoodRiverValleyhasa“desirablequalityofplace”• SunValleyisaninternationaltouristdestination• Manyresidentscameherefromsomewhereelse

Renewableenergyisavailable

• Theregionhasconsiderablepotentialforrenewableenergy,especiallythroughsolarcollectors

• Hotspringsprovideheatthatmightbeharnessedforseasonextension• Geothermalenergyisavailable(thoughexpensivetoharness)

Collaborationsareactivelyatwork

• TheWoodRiverValleyhasafairlycompactanddistinctgeography• “Thecommunityissomewhatclose-knit”• “Therecentfireshelpedunitethecommunity”• “Ketchumhas130activenonprofits”• Communitytrustdriveslocalcommerce

Severalcommercialnetworksarefunctioning[Notethatthissectionisespeciallylimitedbythefactthatonly61peoplecouldbeinterviewed;thisisnotacompletelist]

• Kraay’sMarket&Gardencollaborateswith50vendorsincluding15-20growerstodelivertheirproductsdirectlytohouseholds

• Kraay’sMarket&GardensendsadrivertoTwinFalls,Buhl,andHagermaneachTuesdayduringthegrowingseason

• MikeHeathandNateJonescollaborateonstorageanddistribution• JohnandBeckyKlimescollaboratewithMikeHeath• OnsenFarmWinterandSummerCSAsinvolvecollaborationwithneighboringfarmsand

businessesincludingAgrarianHarvest,OasisMarket,and1,000SpringsMill• WaterwheelGardensdistributesproductsforPrairieSunFarms,VogelFarms,and

DoubleSpringsRanch• ElkhornFarmssellsporktoseveralrestaurantsinKetchum• HillsideRanchFlourandGraincollaborateswithnearbygraingrowerstoproducegrains

forhouseholduse• RichardFeuchtinFairfieldcollaborateswithotherfarmerswhosellatthemarket(which

hemanages)• TheKetchumFarmers’Marketbringsfarmerstooneplacetosellproductsandengages

severalinpolicysettingthroughtheboardofdirectors• WoodRiverLandTrustseekstobuildcollaborationsthrough“CommunityConservation”• WoodRiverLandTrustcollaborateswithSouthIdahoLandTrustandtheNature

Conservancy• TheNatureConservancycollaborateswithNRCSandseveralcommunitygroups


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• TheNatureConservancycollaborateswithErnie’sOrganicsandBrettStevenson• QuigleyFarmprojectisacollaborationinvolvingdevelopers,TheSageSchool,Nature

Conservancy,WoodRiverLandTrust,andmanyotherpartners• TheHungerCoalitionworkscloselywithlower-incomeresidents• LavaLakeLambisitselfaclusterofbusinesses,includingLavaLakeLandandLivestock,

andLavaLakeInstitute.Thisclustercollaborateswith(andarepartownersof)MountainStatesCo-op(processinginColorado)andastoragefacilityinBoise

• LocalFoodAllianceandBlaineCountyFoodCouncilhaveoverlappingmembers• 1,000SpringsMillcollaborateswithscoresofBuhlareagrowerstobringtheirproducts

toexportmarkets

WeaknessesoftheCommunityFoodSystem:KeyWeaknesses:




OtherAreasofConcern:Inequality

• IncomeinequalityinBlaineCountyisamongthehighestintheUS• OneofeveryfiveBlaineCountyresidentsreliesupontheHungerCoalition• “Thisisthe8thmostexpensiveregionintheUSforfood”butmanyresidentshavelow

incomes• “38%oftheBlaineCountypopulationisvulnerable”[tolackoffoodaccess]• “40to50%ofthepopulationisburdenedbyhousingcosts”• Workingpeople—includingresortworkers,firemen,andpolicemen—relyuponfood

shelves• Althoughprosperousresidentsareincreasinglypayingforfoodtobedeliveredtotheir

door,mostresidentscannotaffordsuchaservice• Farmers,chefs,anddistributorsaredonatingconsiderabletimeandmoneytosupply

wealthiercustomerswithlocallyraisedfood–thisisnotsustainableoverthelonghaulLackofsupportiveinfrastructure

• Oneconsumersaid,“IdonothaveanywhereIcanpurchasethefoodsthatIwant”• Warehousespaceandcoldstorageislacking,bothatthefarmlevelandinpopulation

centers• LocatedatthenorthendoftheWoodRiverValley,KetchumandSunValleycustomers

aresomewhatisolated.Inparticular,deliverytruckshaveonlyoneroad,andhavelittle


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theycanbackhaul—thatis,toshipproductsbacktowherethetrucksstartedfrom[whichwouldreduceshippingcosts]

• “Welackasinglewholesaleentity”• Severalproducedistributioninitiativeshaveclosed

o SawtoothGardenProjecto Idaho’sBountyo NorthwestProduce

• Onelargerproducebroker(fromCalifornia)stoppedservingValleygrowers,leavingfarmerswithfeweroptions

• Theregionhasfewsmalllogisticsfirmsthatcouldcarrylocallyraisedproducts• Deliverydriversdonotalwaysadequatelyprotectthesafetyofthefoodstheydeliver• Skilledlaborisoftenlackingforfarmworkorfooddistribution• FarmerslackaccesstoUSDA-certifiedmeatprocessing.Thislimitstheirabilitytosellto

institutionalaccounts(ElkhornSouthRanchnowintendstoopenaslaughteroperation)• Lendersaretypicallyunwillingtoloanmoneytofarmers• “Costoflandistoohightobepaidbyfarming”• “Landis$10,000-$20,000peracre”• “Farmingtopaythemortgagemeansyou’remorelimitedinwhatyoucangrow”• “Farmingingeneralhasloweconomicviability”• Can’tstarttofarmwithoutpriorwealth:“Peoplehavetoworkoffthefarmtopayfor

thefarm”• Populationisneitherlargenorcompact• “Wedon’thaveenoughvenueswherepeoplecangather”

Lackofaction

• Therearesomanygoodopportunitiesthatpeopleareparalyzedbychoice• “Thefoodsystemsworkhasbeenspinningwheels”• “Wehavelotsofgreatmeetingsaboutfood,butnothinggetsaccomplished”• Oneconsumer:“Fiveyearsago,IhadmorechoicesforbuyingfromlocalfarmsthanI

havetoday”• Well-intendedinvestmentshaveendedupcostingfarmersmoney• Manyleaderslookforthe“nextnewidea”ratherthandiscipliningthemselvestoget

pragmatictasksdone• “Thereisanurbanidealismcombinedwithalackofwillingnesstodothehardwork”• “Theregionlacksastrongmanufacturingorfarmingworkforce”• “Entrepreneurshipislacking”[inthecommunityfoodtrade]

Leadersfeelisolatedorhurt

• “Peoplehavetocare.Theyactliketheydo,buttheyoftendon’t.”• Severaldeepinterpersonalwoundsororganizationalconflictshaveyettobehealed• Localgroupsoftenoperatein“silos”separatefromeachother• “We’renotacollaborativecommunity–wedon’tshareresources”• Somefarmersandchefsreportedthattheyhaddonatedconsiderablefoodandtimeto

supportcommunitymeals,butreceivedlittleinreturn• Manyofthecommunitymealsfeaturinglocalfarmswerean“elitethingthatdidnot

penetratetomostresidents’lives.”


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• ManyValleyresidentsareunwillingtoengagewithpeopletheyperceiveas“different”• “Youhavetobeabitcrazytodothis[foodwork]”• “Everyonewhohastriedlocal[produce]processinghasfailed”

Leadershipisnotclear

• Localfoodleadersdidnotunderstandwhytherearetwoseparateentities[BCFCandLFA]

• Therolesofthetwogroupsarenotclear,andmanyintervieweeshadlimitedknowledgeofeithergroup

Proactiveleadershipisneeded

• “Manyinitiativesarereactiveratherthanplanful”• “Itisrarethatpoliticaloreconomicleaderstakethelongview”

Growersandbuyersneedbettercommunications

• “Chefsdon’tmeetwitheachother;farmersdon’tmeetwitheachother”• “Itisoftendifficultforfarmersandchefstocommunicatewitheachother”• Onefarmersaidconsumerinterestinlocallyraisedfoodislimited:“Youcan’tguarantee

thatanyonewillbuyyourproduct”ifyougrowit• Onefarmerlamentedthathegetsverylittlecommunicationfromchefsaboutwhat

theyarelookingfor,soheistrappedina“guessinggame.OneyearIdecidednottoplant[aspecificproduceitem],andsuddenlyeverybodywantedthem.”

• “Restaurantsusethenamesoffarmers[ontheirmenus],butdonotactuallybuyfromthem”

• “OnechefplacedabigorderonTuesday,andbyThursdayhehadquithisjob,soIdidn’tgetpaid”

• Severalchefswantasimplerprocessfororderingfromnearbyfarms• Onechefsaid,“Toomanyfarmersgrowexactlythesamecrops.Theyaretoosmall-scale

todealwithrestaurants”Greaterconsistencyisneeded

• ConsistentfoodproductionanddistributiontoValleyconsumershasbeenelusive• Wholesaleandrestaurantbuyerspurchaseinrelativelysmallquantities• “Bothgrowersorbuyerscouldactmoreprofessionally”

Farmers’marketsarecriticaltonewgrowers,butsomefarmerswantotheroptions

• Manylong-termfarmersfindthatsellingatfarmers’marketsistoolimiting,yettheinfrastructureforwholesaletradeislimited

UncertaintyhasplaguedtheKetchumFarmers’Market

• TheKetchumFarmers’MarketmeetsonTuesday,whichmaynotbeanoptimaldayforconsumers

• “Itisridiculousthatthefarmers’marketisonTuesday”• SeveralbusinessesinKetchumhavecomplainedthatparkingisdifficultfortheir

customersonfarmers’marketdays• TheCityofKetchumseekstorelocatethemarkettoalessvisiblelocationatForest

ServiceParkwhilechargingthesamehighfeesastheTownSquarelocation


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• DecisionsabouttheWoodRiverFarmers’MarkethavenotbeentransparentInstitutionalpurchasesarelimited

• Institutionalfoodpurchaserssuchastheschooldistrictandhospitalhavelimitedbudgets

• FewtaketheleadtoconnectwithfarmersEconomiesofscalearenotclear

• “Manyfarmshavenotattainedeconomiesofscalesotheirproductionandmarketingcostsarehigh”

• Yetmanyfarmsandbusinessesthathaveachievedeconomiesofscalesellprimarilytoexternalmarkets

Energyalternativeshaveyettobetapped

• “NIMBYshavestalledfoodproductioneffortsnearhotsprings”• “Geothermalenergyispossiblebutexpensive”

WoodRiverValleyRegionlacksaclearandunifiedvisionforcommunityfoods

• “Whoismanagingthevisionofbuildingastableandconsistentsupplyoffood?”• “TheCityofKetchumdoesnotpromotelocalfoodsenough”• “TheWoodRiverValleylacksaclearidentity”• Muchofthepopulationcomesfrom“away”• Valleyleaders“havenotyetdevelopedaconsistentmessagingaroundsoilhealth”• “It’sdifficulttoconveytoconsumerstheideathatlocalfarmsraisefoodthatismore

nutritiousandfresherthanwhatisavailableatthesupermarkets”• “Consumersdon’talwaysrealizewhatittakestogrowfood”• “Consumersarenotawareoftheseasonalityoffoodproduction”• “Consumerswantconvenience;”locallyraisedfoodstakeadditionalattention

Naturalandenvironmentalconstraints

• Wehavealimitedgrowingseason• “Severaloftheestablishedfarmerswillretiresoon.Therearenotenoughyoung

farmerstoreplacethem”• Beesarethreatened

ObstaclestostrengtheningtheCommunityFoodSystem:KeyObstacles:


OtherBarriers:Limitedinterestinfoodandfarming


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• “Mostpeoplejustdon’tcare”aboutaccessinghealthierfood• “Everyonewantslocalfood,buthesitatestopaytheprice”• Manyresidentstravelagreatdeal,limitingtheirabilitytofocusonlocalimplementation• Consumersandactivistsalikelackinterestinlearningaboutfarming• “Wearejustnotgoingtoreachlowormoderateincomeconsumers”[theydon’thave

enoughmoney]• “Donorsarelosinginterestinaddressingpovertyorlong-termchange”• “Ifyou’regoingtobearancheryouhavetoburnwithadesiretoranch”• “Youhavetohaveapassiontogrowcrops”• (Asafarmer),“sometimesitisjusteasiertoplaceitonthetruck”[sellittoacommodity

stream]Regulatoryobstacles

• “Environmentalandhealthregulationsarenotappropriatetothescaleatwhichmanyfarmersfarm”

Environmentalconstraints

• “LocalfoodsystemsmaybeunrealisticintheValley,becauseofthelimitedcropswecangrowwithashortseason”

• Thereisa“limittocalorieswecanproducelocally”• Climatechange• SoilHealth

OpportunitiesforstrengtheningtheCommunityFoodSystem:KeyOpportunities:

• WoodRiverValleyRegionhasenoughland,wealth,andconsumerpurchasingtobuildastrongcommunityfoodsystem

• PrioritizeprojectsthatwillstrengthentrustandcollaborationamongRegionstakeholders

• EngageallresidentsofWoodRiverValleyRegionincommunityfoodsefforts• WorkcollaborativelytoleverageTheHungerCoalition’sexpansion• Buildadistributionnetworkappropriatetotheleveloffarmproduction• Buildcoldstorageonwholesalingfarms(couldbebuiltbylocalfarmers)• BuildwarehousespaceandcoldstorageinHailey/Bellevue

OtherOpportunities:Greatercoordination

• “Elementscouldbeputtogethertomakethesystemworkbetter”• “Startsmallandtakepragmaticandpracticalsteps”• “Takeouttheidealism”


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Leveragecommunitywealth• “WiththemoneythisValleyhas,wecould:

o Payfarmersabovetheircostsofproductiono Growthefoodswewanttoeato Processfoodforourselveso Distributefoodourselves”

• “Ifwecanspend$16milliononananimalshelter,and$18milliononaniceskatingarena,wecanaffordafacilitythatpromoteshealthyeatingwithfoodraisedonlocalfarms”

BuildaCommunityResilienceCenterfocusedonfoodforallresidents

• Manyintervieweesseektohaveadditionalfoodstorage,commercialkitchen,orcommunitygatheringspace.[Thereisstrongriskoftheseeffortscompetingwitheachotherforfunding,orduplicatingenergies.Compilingtheconceptsbroughtforwardbyourinterviewees,theremaybeastrongpossibilitythatgroupscouldcollaborateonone“BigIdea”projectthatwouldcreateefficienciesincommunityfoodtradeandhelpfostercollaboration.

• [PerhapsonesinglefacilitycouldbebuiltinHailey/Bellevuethatcombinesanyofthefollowingelementsthatcanbesupportedeitherthroughsalesordonations.Somespacesmightbesharedbyseveralgroups]:

o expandedwarehousespaceo coolerspaceo freezerspaceo stagingareaandloadingdockso communitykitcheno retailstoreo communitygatheringspaceo classroomso fruit&vegetableprocessingo rapidcoolingequipmentforfreshproduceo grainlabo mobilemarketo foodtrucks

• [Thislistismeanttosuggestpossibilities,butcarefulbusinessplanningshouldbecompletedbeforelaunchinganysuchinitiative;severalofthesecapacitiesarelikelytobeplacedonthebackburneruntilpartnershipsareinplaceandresourcesavailable.]

• [ThisfacilitycouldbebuiltinpartnershipinvolvingtheHungerCoalition,SunValleyInstitute/LocalFoodAlliance,BlaineCountyFoodCouncil,Kraay’sMarket&Garden,theWholesaleProducePartnership,HillsideRanchFlour&Grain,otherfarmersandfoodinitiatives,Atkinsons’Market,andotherswhomaybeinvited]

• [Alternatively,ifgroupscollaborateondevelopingindividualspaces,andavoidduplicationofenergiesandfacilities,aneffectiveandtrustingnetworkcouldcoordinateactivitythroughseparatesites]

• “Statemoneymaybeavailabletobuildavegetableprocessingfacility”


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Developaknowledgebase

• Itwouldinclude:o Listsoffarmsgrowingforcommunitymarketso Howmanyacreseachfarmso Whichproductseachfarmgrowso Whichproductseachwouldliketoaddo Existingtrucks&deliveryrouteso Makesureweknowthetruecostsofgrowinganddistributingfoodo HowmuchfoodwouldbeneededtofeedeveryoneintheValley?o andmore…

SparkInnovation

• “RaisemoneytoofferCommunityChallengeGrantsof$10,000to$20,000–inviteanyonewhoappliestocreateanewwayofmeetingourgoalsforacommunityfoodsystem”

Grownewgrowers

• “Weneedyoungpeoplewhowillstartfarmingwithregenerativepractices”• “Wecouldengageyoungfarmersinraisingcattlesotheycanbuildwealth”• CultivateFFAmembership:“nobodywantstofarmthesedays”• Landatcenter-pivotcornersisavailable,butmayrequireconsiderablecoordination• Educateresidentsthroughkids• Inspireyoungfarmers

Selllocalfoodatpricepointsthatresidentscanafford

• “Weneedtolookatthepricepeoplearewillingtopaygrowersfortheirproduce”• “Subsidizefarmandfoodlaborsoworkersgetalivingwage”

Differentiatedproductsmayappealtoprosperousconsumers

• “Grownicheproductsthataredifferentiatedinthemarket”• “Themarkettellsmeweshouldbegrowingmoreofthefollowing:

o Greens&Lettuceo Microgreenso Chard,Kale,Spinach,etco Stonefruits”

• “Expandcheeseproduction.Americanseat34poundsofcheeseeachyear”• “KetchumcouldbethelaboratoryforfoodprocessorsinSouthernIdaho”

Expandlocalofferings

• “Farmersshouldgrowmorediverseproducts”• “Wehavetoovercomethescalequestion”

TransparentlyplanforapermanentlocationfortheKetchumFarmers’Marketplanning

• MeetingsaboutthefutureoftheMarketshouldbeheldinpublicforumsandconsiderablepublicinputisrequired.

• “ConsideralocationbetweenHaileyandKetchum”


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• “ChangethedayoftheKetchumFarmers’Market(oraddasecondday)”Coordinatecommunityfoodsworkmoreeffectively

• “Translateourvisionintoactionquickly”• “Foodisanequalizer.Weneedeventsthatarefunandbuildcommunityconnections”• “Createabusinessplanforseekingfoodself-sufficiency”• “Figureouthowmuchfoodweneed”[andgrowit]• Createinnovativefood-accessmodels(involvingmorecapacity-buildingthanfood

shelves)• “Buildreciprocalrelationships”• Build“placesforself-reliance”• “Mounteducationalcampaignsthatengagethebroaderpopulation”• “Educateresidentsaboutwheretheirfoodcomesfrom”• “Thinkoutsidethebox”

ConveneValleystakeholdersonaregularbasis

• Buildcapacitiesofresidentstogrow,purchase,prepare,andeathealthyfoods• Holdanannualworkingconferenceonbuildingcommunityfoodtrade• Holdannualfarmer-to-farmermeetings• “Inotherregions,farmershaveworkedtogether.”• Holdannualchef-to-chefmeetings

Expandseasonextensionefforts

• Developmoregreenhousestoextendgrowingseason• “Buildinfrastructureforbendingmetalsowecouldmanufactureourowngreenhouses”• Buildcapacityofresidents• “Farmershavetoproducemoreconsistently,andbuyershavetobuymoreconsistently”• “Weneedtobuildreciprocalrelationships”

Createcommunitygatheringspacesaroundfoodthatappealtoallresidents

• TheHungerCoalitionseekstocreategatheringspacesforitsconstituents• “Weneedcommunitygatheringspaces

Encouragewholesalefoodtrade

• “Encourageforwardcontractingbywholesalebuyers”[whereabuyercommitstopurchasingacertainamountofproductifthefarmergrowsit]

• “Combineseasonalfarmlaborwiththewinterlodges”Farmersandchefsbothseekbetterlogistics

• “Weneedlogisticsandtransportation”• “Thingswouldworkbetterifpeoplecommunicate”• “Weneedanonprofitwithamissiontogetfoodtoconsumers”• “Hiresalesstaffonabasewageofabout$20,000plusacommissionofapercentageof

sales”• “Unifytheunitssoldandpricesofferedamongfarmers”• “Farmershavetoproducemoreconsistently,andbuyershavetobuymoreconsistently”


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• “CentrallocationwithcoolersinbothWoodRiverValleyandinTwinFalls”• “Placerefrigeratedunits(possiblyintrucksoroldshippingcontainers)onfarms”• “Ilookedoverourcostsanditisoftencheaperforusasfarmerstodeliverourselves

thantohireadistributionfirmtodoit”[eventakinglaborintoaccount]• “WeneedasystemofdistributioninTwinFalls”• “Weneedapoolofsprintervanstocarryproductsinsmallquantities”• Atkinsons’Marketislookingformorebeef,chickens,turkeys,andvalue-addedproducts

fromlocalproducersBuildproteindirectmarketingcollaborative

• “Changethewaypeoplebuyprotein–iftheycanbuyaquarterorahalfanimal,thecostcomesdown”

• “Growerscouldofferseafood,beef,lamb,andchickenfordirectsaleonasingledayeachyear,October1.Consumerscouldorderontheinternetfromeachfarm,andalloftheproducerswoulddeliveronasingleday.”

• “Peoplewillneedfreezerstoragespacetostorethesefoods”CollaboratetofoundaUSDAmeatprocessingplant

• “Weneedacentrallylocatedmeatprocessingfacility”• JoshHaleofElkhornRanchSouthisconsideringopeningaslaughteroperationin

MackayOthersuggestions

• “WecoulddevelopacommunityorchardonlandownedbytheLandTrustneartheairport”

• “WeneedaCPAwhoknowsfarming”[accountantswehaveapproacheddonotunderstandfarmbusinesses]

• Zoningmighthavetobemodified• GrowfoodatQuigleyFarm


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AppendixB:EconomicDataChart1:PopulationofBlaineCounty,Idaho

Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.ThepopulationofBlaineCountyrose283%(nearlyafour-foldincrease)from5,694in1969to21,791in2016,asChart1shows.


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Chart2:AdjustedPersonalIncomeforBlaineCountyresidents,1969–2016

Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Personalincomeroseevenfaster,from$22.4millionin1969(or$147millionin2016dollars)to$2billionin2016.Thisisanincreaseof1,275percent,afteradjustingforinflation,oranearly14-foldincrease.ThisisshownonChart2.Theglobalhousingfinancecrisisof2008tookasignificanttollonpersonalincome,butconsiderablerecoveryhasoccurred.


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Chart3:SourcesofAdjustedPersonalIncomeinBlaineCounty,1969-2016

Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Thevastmajorityofthisnewincomeisincomeearnedfromcapitalinvestments:interestonsavingsaccounts,dividendsfromsecurities,andrentalincome,asChart3shows.Allothersourcesofpersonalincomegrewrelativelyslowlyordeclined.ThissuggeststhatmostoftheincomeincreaseisduetoincomesourcedoutsideofBlaineCounty;newresidentsbroughtitwiththemwhentheymovedin.Fortheaverageresident,however,fewnewsourcesofincomewereavailable—whilelivingcostsrosebecausemoreprosperousresidents,andvisitors,wereabletospendathigherrates.


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Chart4:NetCashIncomeforFarmersinBlaineCounty,1969-2016

Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Chart4showspersonalincomeforallfarmersinBlaineCountyfrom1969–2016.CashreceiptsforBlaineCountyfarmersrosefrom$6.4millionin1969to$33millionin2016,afive-foldincrease.Yetduringthistimeperiod,productioncostsroseataslightlyhigherrate,from$6.1millionto$34million.Farmersmorethandoubledtheirproductivity(asmeasuredbyTotalFactorProductivitybytheEconomicResearchService)butreturnsstayedmoreorlessthesame.In19ofthose48years,productionexpensesexceededcashreceipts.Thesedatashowthatnewmarketscontinuedtobeavailable,evenasthenumberoffarmsfell17%,from224in1969to186in2012.Duringthisperiod,considerablelandwasalsotakenoutoffarming.In1969,BlaineCountyfarmersworked250,249acres;by2012totalfarmacreagehadfallento179,130,adecreaseof28percent(CensusofAgriculture,1969,2012).Thus,asmallernumberoffarmersweresellingmoreandmoreproductseachyear.


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Chart5:AdjustedNetCashIncomeforfarmersinBlaineCounty,1969-2016

Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Yettheannualdatacoveringpersonalincomeforfarmersshownonthepreviouschartshouldalsobeadjustedforinflation,toprovideadifferentviewofthesamedata.Since1969,thevalueofthedollarhasdeclinedsix-fold,duetoinflation.Chart5showsthesamedataasthepreviouschart,butismeasuredin2016dollars.Aftermakingthisadjustment,itisclearthattheBlaineCountyfarmeconomypeakedin1974,andhasofferedfewerreturnstofarmerseversince.Inthatyear,bothcashreceiptsandproductionexpensespeaked,whilefarmersearnedanetincomeof$8.7million(in2016dollars)inasingleyear.Slightlysmallerpeaksoccurredin1990and1993,andspeculationingraintradingcausedabriefriseincommoditypricesin2011.Yeteachofthesepeakswasfollowedbydeclinesinthefarmeconomy.Overall,BlaineCountyfarmersearned$3millionlessbyraisingcropsandlivestockin2016thantheyhadearnedin1969.Thisshowsthatfarmerinvestmentsinnewproductivitydidnotyieldlastingreturns(EconomicResearchService,2012,2013).AlthoughSouthernIdahogrewintoaprimefarmingandfood-manufacturingcenter,withnationalprominence,duringthisera,fewBlaineCountyfarmersgainedlastingbenefitsfromthattransition.


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Chart6:CropandLivestockSales(Adjusted)inBlaineCounty,1969-2016

Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.AsChart6shows,thistransitionintheBlaineCountyfarmeconomywascharacterizedbyadeclineinsalesoflivestockandrelatedproducts(themaroonline)whilesalesofcommoditycropsrose(greenline).Notethatthischartdoesnotshowprofitability,butonlycashreceipts.


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Chart7:FarmProductionExpenses(Adjusted)inBlaineCounty,1969-2016

Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.AsChart7shows,livestockpurchases(whichoftenwouldhavebeenboughtfromaneighboringfarminearlieryears)fellprecipitously,whilethecostsofexternalinputs,suchasfertilizersandseedssourcedoutsidetheCounty,haveriseninrecentyears.Themoststeadycosthasbeenfarmlabor,whichhasremainedatabout$7millionperyear(in2016dollars)forthepast48years.SincemanyoftheseworkersliveintheCounty,thisrepresentsasignificantsourceofincomeforBlaineCounty.


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Chart8:SourcesofAdjustedNetCashFarmIncomeinBlaineCounty,1969-2016

Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Summingupthefarmincomepicture,Chart8showsthethreemainsourcesofnetfarmincomeforBlaineCountyfarmers:sellingcommodities(redline);rentingoutland(blueline);andfederalsubsidies(orangeline).Notethatfederalpaymentswerethelargestandmostconsistentsourceoffarmincomefrom1977to1988,whilerentalincomedominatedfrom1997tothepresent.Thisistosaythatforlandowners,rentingoutfarmlandisamorereliablesourceofincomethanactuallyfarmingtheland.


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Chart9:AdjustedSNAPbenefitsreceivedinBlaineCounty,1969-2016

Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.Meanwhile,hungerincreasedinBlaineCounty,despitetheriseofpersonalincomenotedabove.AsChart9shows,SNAPrecipientscollected$200,000ofbenefitsin1970(nodatawererecordedfor1969),butbenefitsrosedramaticallyduringtheglobalhousingfinancecrisis,peakingat$1.8millionin2012,andnowstandatabout$1millionperyear(SeealsoChart2).NotonlydoesSNAPdatarevealthevulnerabilityoftheBlaineCountypopulation,italsoshowshowmuchthisvulnerabilityisconnectedtoglobaleventsoutsideofthecontrolofcountyresidents.Alsocritical,itshowsthelossesenduredunderafarmeconomythatisgearedtoexportingcommoditiestodistantmarkets,whilelocalpeoplegohungry.


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Chart10:AdjustedSNAPreceipts,NetCashFarmIncome,andFarmSubsidiesinBlaineCounty,1969-2016

Source:BureauofEconomicAnalysis.ViewedOctober4,2018.Note:BEAdatacovering1969-2000wasnotavailableonitswebsiteinJanuary,2019duringthegovernmentshutdown.InChart10,SNAPbenefitsarecomparedtonetcashincome:forfarmers.Tragically,thischartshowsthatduringseveralperiodsoverthepast48years,SNAPbenefitshavebeenalargerandmorereliablesourceoffoodincomeforBlaineCountythanfarmingwas.Whilefarmincomehasproducedsolidreturnsfromtimetotime,thisisbasedonsellingcommoditiesforexportratherthanfeedingBlaineCountyresidents.Perhapsmorecritically,ineveryyearupto2008,the200farmersofBlaineCountyreceivedmoreinfederalsubsidiesthanthe2,000lower-incomeresidentsoftheCountyreceivedthroughSNAPbenefits.FeedingAmericadata(Gunderson,etal.(2018)showthat2,230BlaineCountyresidentswerefoodinsecurein2016,arateof10.4%.16

16Gundersen,C.,A.Dewey,A.Crumbaugh,M.Kato&E.Engelhard.MaptheMealGap2018:AReportonCountyandCongressionalDistrictFoodInsecurityandCountyFoodCostintheUnitedStatesin2016.FeedingAmerica,2018.


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BlaineCountyfoodconsumptionBlaineCountyresidentspurchaseanestimated$63millionoffoodeachyear,$36millionofthistoeatathome.Table1showshowthisbreaksdownbycategoryoffooditemspurchasedforhomeuse.Table1:OverallFoodConsumptionbyBlaineCountyResidents

$millions

Meats,poultry,fish,andeggs 8Fruitsandvegetables 7Cerealsandbakeryproducts 4Dairyproducts 4Otherfoodathome 13Source:CalculationbyMeterusingBureauofLaborStatisticsConsumerExpenditureSurveyfor2015.Note,however,thatsincethesefiguresdrawuponaveragesforthewesternstates,actualfoodcostsinBlaineCountyarelikelytobehigher.Thesedatadonotcoverfoodexpendituresbyvisitors.

AnnualfoodconsumptionbyproductThetablebelowisbaseduponUSDAEconomicResearchService2015estimatesoffood“availability”onapercapitabasis.Thisisacalculationofhowmuchfoodwasproduced,imported,orexported,tocomeupwithanestimateofhowmucheachpersonconsumesinayear.The2017populationfromtheFederalCensuswasusedtocalculateBlaineCountyconsumptioninpounds.

Vegetables

PerCapitaAvailabilityPounds,2015

TotalPoundsRequiredforBlaine

County

Artichokes 1.4 30,834

Asparagus 1.65 36,340

Beans,Lima 0.0018 40

Beans,Snap 1.47 32,375

Broccoli 6.64 146,239

BrusselsSprouts 0.46 10,131

Cabbage 6.68 147,120

Carrots 8.47 186,543

Cauliflower 1.29 28,411

Celery 5.53 121,793

Cucumbers 7.4 162,978


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Eggplant 0.85 18,720

Escarole&Endive 0.17 3,744

Garlic 1.93 42,506

GreenPeas N/A

Greens,Collard 1.54 33,917

Greens,Mustard 0.39 8,589

Greens,Turnip 0.39 8,589

Kale 0.51 11,232

Lettuce:Head 14.46 318,467

Lettuce:Leaf&Romaine 10.78 237,419

Mushrooms 2.98 65,632

Okra 0.4 8,810

Onions 18.3 403,039

Peppers,Bell 10.69 235,437

Potatoes 33.5 737,804

Pumpkins 5.32 117,168

Radishes 0.48 10,572

Spinach 1.67 36,780

Squash 4.59 101,090

SweetCorn 7.63 168,043

SweetPotatoes 7.51 165,400

Tomatoes 20.5 451,492

Other N/A

Fruit

Grapefruit 2.43 53,518

Lemons 3.42 75,322

Limes 3.06 67,393

Oranges&Temples 9.35 205,924

Tangerines&Tangelos 5.04 111,001

Apples 18.94 417,135

Apricots 0.12 2,643

Avocados 6.52 143,596

Bananas 27.9 614,470

Blackberries 0.08 1,762


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Blueberries 1.54 33,917

Cantaloupe 6.99 153,948

Cherries 1.19 26,209

Cranberries 0.07 1,542

Dates 0.5 11,012

Figs 0.21 4,625

Grapes 7.72 170,025

Honeydew 1.65 36,340

Kiwi 0.51 11,232

Mangoes 2.5 55,060

Olives 0.88 19,381

Papayas 1.14 25,107

Peaches&Nectarines 3.26 71,798

Pears 2.87 63,209

Pineapple 7.18 158,132

Prunes&Plums 0.58 12,774

Raspberries 0.49 10,792

Strawberries 7.95 175,091

Watermelon 13.47 296,663

Grains

Barley 0.73 16,078

DurumFlour(2010data) 12 264,288

Oats 4.5 99,108

Rice(2010data) 20.4 449,290

Rye 0.5 11,012

WheatFlour 134.7 2,966,633

Dairy&Milk

FluidMilk&Cream 173.7 3,825,569

DryMilkProducts 3.6 79,286

Cheese 30.7 676,137

CottageCheese 2.1 46,250

Condensed&EvaporatedMilk 0.9 19,822

FrozenDairyProducts 21.9 482,326


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Eggs

Eggs 34.9 768,638

Meats

Beef 76.9 1,693,646

Veal 0.3 6,607

Pork 59.1 1,301,618

Lamb 1.1 24,226

Chickenstotal 97.5 2,147,340

Fish

Fresh/FrozenFishandShellfish 10.8 237,859

CannedFishandShellfish 3.3 72,679

CuredFishandShellfish 0.3 6,607

Nuts

Almonds 1.7 37,441

Hazelnuts(filberts) 24.8 546,195

Peanuts 7 154,168

Pecans(filberts) 0.5 11,012

PistachioNuts 0.2 4,405

Coconuts 0.9 19,822

Walnuts 0.4 8,810

OtherTreeNuts 1.2 26,429


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ClimateisnotthelimitingfactorSource:USDACensusofAgriculture,1930;2012Havingfewotheroptions,farmersinBlaineCountyproducedconsiderablefoodinaclimatethatwasmostlikelyharsherthantoday,andwithfarsimplertechnology.Notably,whilemostofthefarmsfocusedonexportingcommoditiessuchaswool,meat,andgrains,theCountyhadconsiderableabilitytofeeditself,especiallywithmilkandbutter.In1930,Countypopulationwas3,768.17In1930,therewere382farmsinBlaineCounty.Theyfarmedatotalof158,952acres(comparedto186farmersfarming179,130acresin2012).AllCountyfarmerscombinedsoldanaggregatetotalof$2.2millionofcropsandlivestockin1930(worth$29.8millionin2012dollars).Thatis,salesbyBlaineCountyfarmersin1930wereworth77%ofthetotalfarmproductsalesof$38.6millionmadebyBlaineCountyfarmersin2012,andtheseproductswereraisedon89%ofthelandbasecurrentfarmersuse.Countyfarmersraised22,142acresofhay,4,798acresofwheat,1,401acresofoats,1,377acresofbarley,18acresofrye,66acresofpotatoes,and12acresofvegetables.Vegetablesraisedcommerciallyincludedgreenbeans,cabbage,celery,sweetcorn,lettuce,onions,peas,potatoes,spinach,andtomatoes.87farms(23%)raisedvegetablesfortheirownuseathome.Fruitsraisedcommerciallyincludedapples,cherries,pears,plums,grapes,currants,gooseberries,raspberries,andstrawberries.344farms(90%)raisedlivestock(called“domesticanimals”intheCensussincetheywerevaluedforwhattheyproducedorthelabortheyperformedasmuchasfortheirsales).BlaineCountyfarmerssold$900,356ofsheep,$478,309ofcattle,and$128,610ofhorsesin1930,andalsosoldhogs,mules,chickens,turkeys,ducks,geese,andbees.Ofthese300(87%)milkedcows.Ofthe970,173gallonsofmilkthatwereproducedby55farms,only116,285gallons(12%)weresold.Ofthe39,282poundsofbutterthatwerechurnedby227farms,only5,149pounds(13%)weresold.Thismeantthatconsiderablefoodwasretainedbyfarmfamiliesfortheirownuseathome.Creamwasmoreregularlytraded,with190farms(63%ofthosewithlivestock)selling184,074pounds.Countyfarmersalsosold47,589dozeneggsin1930,and659,148poundsofwool.AttheendoftheCensusyear,thefollowinglivestockwerelivingonBlaineCountyfarms:124,900sheep&lambs,13,279chickens,9,625cattle,and2,962hogs.67(18%)countyfarmerssoldproductsthroughcooperativemarketingarrangements.

17worldpopulationreview.com/us-counties/id/blaine-county-population/

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