A short history of our work & accomplishments



In 1997, with a grant from the Leopold Center, we began working with three institutional food buyers to assist them in buying a greater portion of their food from nearby farms and processors. By 2003, fourteen institutions have spent more than $1 million buying locally raised foods in our metro area.

In 2003, in Collaboration with Practical Farmers of Iowa and Food Routes Network, we launched the "Buy Fresh, Buy Local," a comprehensive marketing and consumer outreach campaign. In 2004, twenty three restaurants, retailers and businesses committed to growing our regional food system stronger doubled their local food purchases to $465,000, compared to $225,000 in 2003.



Local Food Purchases by Institutional Food Buyers in Black Hawk and Surrounding Counties

Year

Number of Institutions

Type of Institutions

Local Food Expenditures

1998

3

1 Restaurant, 1 College, 1 Hospital

$110,773

1999

3

1 Restaurant, 1 College, 1 Hospital

$134,573

2000

5

1 Restaurant, 1 College, 2 Hospitals 1Retirement Home

$173,406

2001

8

1 Restaurant, 2 Colleges, 4 Hospitals, 1Retirement Home

$165,588

2002

7

2 Restaurants, 1 College, 1 Hospital, 2Retirement Homes, 1 Grocery & Retail

$200,730

2003

15

4 Restaurants, 1 College, 2 Hospitals 3Retirement Homes, 5 Grocery & Retail

$226,954

2004

23

9 Restaurants, 1 College, 2 Hospitals, 3Retirement Homes, 8 Grocery & Retail

$465,361

2005

21

9 Restaurants, 1 College, 1 Hospital, 4Retirement Homes, 5 Grocery & Retail, 1Elementary School

$596,639

2006
27

12 Restaurants, 1 College,1 Hospital, 5 Retirement Homes, 7 Grocery stores, 1 elementary school

$881,000

 

These are the food dollars that would have otherwise left our locality and region, and now instead is creating jobs, supporting independent locally owned food and farm businesses around us. This is a real form of community economic development. During the period 1997-2004, for every grant dollar we received, we helped retain $7 local food dollars in our region a 700% return on investment!


Two examples of local food purchasing by metro area institutions are listed below







In 2003, we launched the Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign in Black Hawk County as well as surrounding counties. In 2004 and 2005 we have worked with numerous organizations to help plan similar campaigns in their communities.
Black Hawk County
Surrounding counties
Other active campaign regions



Original Iowa county map used with permission of Dr. Lois Morton, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/hunger/existingdata.htm
County coloring done by webmaster

Back To Main Page