Local Foods What was available
1. On Farm Sales – Seasonal Only
2. Farmers Markets – Seasonal & Year round
3. CSAs3. CSAs
4. Auctions
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Steering Committee Members
• Betsy AndersonEntomologist – OARDC, Baker
• John AndersonPoultry Researcher - OARDC
• Bill BoyerIndustrial Tech HS Teacher, Gardener
• Marlene BoyerFamily & Consumer Sciences HS Teacher,
Baker
• Jessica EikleberryEngineer, Business/Computer Systems
• Marlene BarkheimerBank President
• Dave BenchoffOEFFA Board Member, Farmer
• Monica BonguePhD Biochemistry, Farmer
Baker
• John DrouhardElectrician, SEN President
• Jen HugonGraphic Artist, Web page design
• Jennifer McMullenCollege of Wooster/Internet writer
• Keith SpeirsArchitect, SEN member
Holistic SolutionMultifaceted one-stop shop
• Convenient Location/Hours
• Easy for Producers to sellFast drop off, don’t have to be onsite, online pre-saleFast drop off, don’t have to be onsite, online pre-sale
• Easy for Buyers to buyYear round, pick & choose, payment methods
• EducationCooking, preserving
• Community
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Mission Statement
“To establish a year-round market place for
the purpose of connecting consumers and
producers of locally grown foods and other
agricultural products. Our goals are to
encourage healthy eating, expand local
economic development, promote community
involvement, and sustainable living.”
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Journey to RealityStructure
For Profit Cooperative –
Producer AND Consumer Cooperative
• Membership Structure to allow all incomes
• Encourage community with volunteer credits
“Business plan”
• Determined viability, examined risks
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Journey to RealityGuidelines
• Defined Local as Ohio
• Had to be a member to sell
Sellers only – no brokers, no resellers• Sellers only – no brokers, no resellers
• Disclose Production Practices
• Encourage local sourcing of ingredients
• Agriculturally based …… now expanded
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Journey to RealityRules
• Market space priorities
• Online system unlimited
Space in market …..FREE• Space in market …..FREE
• Sellers set own price
• 10% commission
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Journey to RealityCommunity Support/Funding
• Community meetings, promoting
• Membership drive
No single large supporter• No single large supporter
• Commissioner support
• ODA Specialty Crop Grant
• Donations
• Volunteerswww.LocalRootsWooster.com
Journey to RealityMarket Setup
Before Opening from 5/09 – 10/09
126 Members $10,400 (6 Lifetime, 44 Volunteer)126 Members $10,400 (6 Lifetime, 44 Volunteer)
5 Member Loans $11,950
Approx. $4,000 in expenses (Inc, paint, phone)
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Journey to RealityDELAYS
Opened our doors 11/7/2009 as a
FARMERS’ MARKET
22 Producers – sold 707 items for $3,869.5222 Producers – sold 707 items for $3,869.52
to 217 customers (148 non-members)
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Journey to RealityMarket Setup
• Operated as a Farmers Market through 12/18
– 7 Markets $38,809.60 in sales
– Payout to producers $35,006.39 – Payout to producers $35,006.39
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Journey to RealityMarket Setup
Closed through January for renovations to obtain Retail renovations to obtain Retail Food Establishment License
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Journey to RealityMarket Setup
Reopened 2/6 as a Market and Coffee shop
Opened the online system on 2/6 with first
pickup 2/13
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Local Roots Today
• Open 3 days
• 1 employee
• 500 members/121 producers
• 80 producers selling each week
• Weekly Sales - 50% members• Weekly Sales - 50% members
• Ohio Direction Card
• Volunteers
• Classes
• Community
• “Local Food Hero” Award
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Looking Toward the FutureCompleting the Vision
• Open more days
• Café/Commercial Kitchen– Provide ready to eat– Provide ready to eat
– Preserving & value add
• Butcher Option– Fresh meats
– Specialty cuts
www.LocalRootsWooster.com
Community Impacts
• Existing Producers to Expand– Another outlet
– Season extension
• Small Business Development• Small Business Development
• Shoppers have to think local first
www.LocalRootsWooster.com