FINE Fall Forum Old Sturbridge Village

November 22, 2013

Farm to Institution New England - FINE

www.farmtoinstitution.org

FINE’S MISSION

A Six State Collaboration working to strengthen our regional food system by increasing the demand for and use of New England food by New England institutions such as schools, hospitals, colleges, and government.

FINE ROOTS

▪  Organized by Northeast Regional FTS network (NE & NY)

▪  Early interest from New England Chief Agricultural Officers and USDA

▪  Expanding partnerships of organizations and funders

WHY FOCUS ON THE FTI SUPPLY CHAIN?

§  Institutions represent a big, dependable potential market for New England farmers

§  People care about the food served in schools, colleges and hospitals

HOW MUCH FOOD DO NEW ENGLAND INSTITUTIONS BUY?  K-12 = 2.16 million students / $150 million school

food purchases

 College = 900 thousand students / 275 million meals a year

 Hospitals = 43 thousand eaters / 97 million meals a year

$1-2 Billion

WHY FOCUS ON A REGIONAL STRATEGY?

§  We have a regional identity in New England

§  New England is small compared to other regions

§  Distributors and Food Service Companies cross state lines

§  Imbalance in the regional food shed §  Lessons to be learned and shared

THERE IS AN IMBALANCE IN THE NEW ENGLAND FOOD SHED

 MA has 50% of the 14 M people

 VT has 50% of the cows

 ME has 50% of the acres of berry and vegetable production

WHO IS FINE?

§  Growing network of partners §  9 person Leadership Team §  Project Leaders and Teams §  Work Groups §  Fiscal Sponsor §  Coordinator

FINE’S APPROACH

§  Target barriers in supply and demand chain

§  Conduct research §  Manage pilot projects §  Convene Communities of

Practice §  Document and disseminate

information and best practices

§  Identify and promote policy drivers

PROJECTS AND WORKGROUPS

§  Current Projects §  Farm to College §  Beef to Institution §  Supply Chain §  Food Processing

§  Prior Projects §  Farm to State Agency §  K-12 Scratch Cooking §  Distribution Research & Best

Practices

§  Workgroups §  Development §  Communication §  Metrics §  Policy

OTHER COOL STUFF GOING ON

LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD

§ Development § Strategic Planning § Communications

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INTERNAL GOAL: STAKEHOLDERS IN FINE ARE ALIGNED, CONNECTED AND ENGAGED IN SUCCESSFUL COORDINATED ACTION FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT - ORANGE

1. A structure is created to identify appropriate coordinated actions

2. A structure is created to identify appropriate F2I

stakeholders

3. Increased support for pilot projects that

demonstrate successful sustainable food

systems

4. FINE engages at least 3 new

organizations in its activities by July 2014

KRI

5. FINE creates shared measurement systems

6. More alignment with partners & stakeholders in shared goals, overlapping mission/vision statements,

stronger coalitions & networks

7. More institutions are aware of & consciously working toward FINE’s

shared goals

8. More definition of FINE priorities &

tangible outcomes that are sought

KLI 1

9. More opportunity for FINE stakeholders to

identify each other, engage in dynamic dialogue, share

learning & information/resources

10. FINE network is able to articulate the value proposition of F2I for diverse stakeholders

KLI 2

11. FINE decision making is inclusive & transparent & provides a structure for

stakeholder input & participation

OUTREACH EFFORTS

•  www.farmtoinstitution.org •  E-newsletter •  Print pieces •  Presentations •  Tabling •  Networking •  Forums!