The Heartland Food Network Wishes to Thank

The Heartland Food Network
Wishes to Thank:
• All of Our Dedicated Members, Partners and
Funders for helping us get this far
• You- for learning about the ways that you can
participate in creating a stronger and more
equitable local food system in Minnesota
Clarification of terminology
•
Organic farmingis a form of agriculture that excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators,
livestock feed additives, and genetically modified organisms.
•
Sustainable farmingSustainable farming integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability and prosperous
farming communities. Sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce food indefinitely, without
causing irreversible damage to ecosystem health.
•
Local Food/Regional FoodIngredients that were grown and produced nearby. Parameters differ depending upon where one is located and
per individuals definition of nearby. This system is based strongly on quality of product & quality of
relationships.
•
Locavoreis someone who eats food grown or produced locally or within a certain radius such as 50, 100, or 150 miles. The
locavore movement encourages consumers to buy from farmers’ markets, support restaurants that source locally
or even to produce their own food, with the argument that fresh, local products are more nutritious and taste
better.
•
Food Milesis a term which refers to the distance food travels from the time of its production until it reaches the consumer.
•
Carbon Footprintis a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases
produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. It is meant to be useful for individuals and organizations to
conceptualize their personal (or organizational) impact in contributing to global warming.
The Heartland Food Network is a group of
Minnesota Chefs and regional farmers and food
distributors who are committed to increasing the
amount of local ingredients served across the
state in dining establishments.
Heartland Food Network
The mission of the
Heartland Food Network
is to encourage and
facilitate
the increased consumption
of local and seasonal foods
as a way to build
stronger communities,
healthier lives and
a cleaner environment
Local chefs, local farmers, local distributors- local good
Family farmers are being forced
out of business at an alarming
rate. According to Farm Aid,
every week 330 farmers leave
their land. As a result, there are
now nearly five million fewer
farms in the U.S. than there were
in the 1930's.
All Heartland Food Network
Members, both dining
establishments and
food distributors commit to
purchasing local ingredients
and to
increasing the amount of local
purchases each year.
So many local ingredients available
How does the Heartland Food Network
define LOCAL ingredients?
• Minnesota Grown as defined by the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture
• Products Certified by Food Alliance Midwest from MN or its
immediate bordering states
• Certified Organic Products from MN or its immediate bordering
states
• “Socially Verified” Products produced by self-regulating farmer
networks, or through farmer/chef relationships, who share a
commitment to an agreed-upon range of practices
• Minnesota Native Freshwater Species
• Products Processed in Minnesota with no less than 80% of the
ingredients from Minnesota
• Processed Products with the primary distinguishing ingredient
grown, wild-caught or originates in Minnesota or
immediately surrounding states
• Wild Rice identified as 100% Minnesota harvested.
What does Heartland Food Network do?
– Helps new comers source local ingredients
through networking and relationship
building.
– Hosts quarterly Roundtables to learn,
discuss and identify local food issues.
– Operates the Heartland Food Network Online Marketplace.
– Participates in statewide public events.
– Reaches the public via press, Minnesota
Project website, eblasts and listervs.
Meet the 2008
Heartland Food Network
Restaurant and Dining Establishments
Members
• Arboretum Restaurant, Chanhassen
• At Sara’s Table Chester Creek Café, Duluth
• The Bayport Cookery, Bayport
• Common Roots Café, Minneapolis
• Cosmos Restaurant, Minneapolis
• FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar, Minneapolis
• The Marsh, Minnetonka
• Muffuletta, St. Paul
• The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Minneapolis
• Tejas Restaurant, Edina
• The University of Minnesota,
Bistro West, Minneapolis
• Vinifera, Wabasha
• Wendigo Lodge, Grand Rapids
Meet the 2008
Heartland Food Network
Catering Companies and Private Chef
Members
• Annie’s Cooking Tonight, Minneapolis
• Cooking for Fun…Seriously! LLC, Eden Prairie
• Good Life Catering, Minneapolis
• Exclusive Catering, Minneapolis
Meet the 2008
Heartland Food Network
Distributor Members
• Big River Foods, Marine on St. Croix
• Bix Produce Company, St. Paul
• Southeast Minnesota Food Network, Elgin
• Sysco MN, St. Paul
• Whole Farm Coop, Long Prairie
The Heartland Food Network Marketplace is a website
created to connect local chefs, dining establishments,
distributors and farmers to one another so
they may directly and easily find
and market local products.
Think of it as a one stop shop for your local food
sourcing!
www.hfnmarketplace.org
Heartland Food Network
Marketplace Helps Producers
connect directly to chefs and distributors
that are looking for local ingredients
Heartland Food Network
Marketplace Helps Producers
Promote your business or farm through profiles,
stories, images and more
Heartland Food Network
Marketplace Helps Producers
Promote their business or farm through profiles,
stories, images and more
Heartland Food Network Marketplace
Connect buyers to you and your products with
detailed contact information and mapped
locations
Heartland Food Network
Marketplace
• Shows buyers at a
glance your products,
certifications and
distribution
information
• Buyers can contact you
directly through the
site with easy tracking
Homegrown Heartland
Marketplace Helps Producers
Showcase your
products through
product descriptions
and details, images,
and per product
distribution and
certification
Information.
Heartland Food Network
Marketplace
Allows buyers to
search for your
products by
type,
seasonable
availability,
certifications
and
distribution
and more
Events that Heartland Food
Network participates in:
• Twin Cities Food and Wine Experience
• Living Green Expo - Homegrown Heartland
2-Day Cooking Stage
• Mill City Farmers Market Saturday Mornings
Outdoor Cooking Series
• Minnesota State Fair’s EcoExperience – Heartland
Food Network Day
• Minnesota Grown Marketing Conference
• Sustainable Farming Association Conference
• Minnesota Sustainable Tourism Conference
Where Does our Food
Usually come from?
The average
meal
travels
over 1,500
miles from
farm to
plate
Most imported
fruit and
vegetables
spend 7 to 14
days on a truck
Local Energy Conservation
Energy use in the food system
represents 16% of total US energy
use
Why Support Local Foods When
Dining Out?
Strengthens Our Local
Economies and
Communities
Fresh and
Flavorful Food
and Products
Local Food Supports
Local Communities
“Local food supports local
families… who are
committed to a
great product.
It provides a safer way to
eat while cutting down
on fuels and reducing
global warming”.
Kristin Holt- General
Manager
FireLake Grill House &
Cocktail Bar
Local Food Matters
“Using fresh, locally
grown products that
have been grown or
raised in a
sustainable way
allows us to take care
of and return to a
closer connection
with our food and
with nature”
Executive Chef Ray
Thering
University of
Minnesota- Aramark
Local Food & Local Communities
“Local food
allows me to be
a part of my
community”
Executive Chef Rick
KimmesThe Oceanaire Seafood
Room
Environmental Impact
We would reduce
our country’s
consumption of oil
by 1.1 million barrels
per week if every US
citizen ate just one
meal a week
composed of locally
and organically
raised produce and
meats
Fresh Local Flavors
Locally grown fruits and
vegetables are usually
sold within 24 hours
of being harvested
Community Collaboration
"The greater culinary community can be a catalyst
for positive change by creating a market for
good food and helping to preserve local farming
and fishing communities."
–Chefs Collaborative, Principle # 6
Thank you.
We invite you to start using local ingredients on
your menus.
Join the Heartland Food Network today.
www.heartlandfoodnetwork.org