RE: Whole Foods buying local?

Wiediger, Alison (awiediger@Hart.k12.ky.us)
Wed, 4 Aug 1999 13:47:44 -0500

Here in KY, 4-5 years ago, we had an organic producers' cooperative called
Kentucky Organic Growers. It was sponsored in part by the Burley
Cooperative. I participated in it both seasons it was active, was steering
committee chair the second season. If anyone is interested in how that
worked, and didn't work, the successes and pitfalls, let me know. I learned
a lot. Our market was restaurants and subscriptions in our two large metro
areas. Our three largest problems were growers not understanding standards
and wanting a premium 'because it's organic' regardless of quality,
consistent production, and growers too widespread for efficient movement of
product. Growing and selling locally is a great idea, but you must have a
good market within a reasonable driving distance, and here in KY, that
doesn't always happen. I'll be glad to share.

Alison Wiediger
Au Naturel Farm
Smiths Grove, KY

> ----------
> From: Lawrence F. London, Jr.[SMTP:london@metalab.unc.edu]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 1999 12:59 PM
> To: sanet
> Subject: Re: Whole Foods buying local?
>
>
> Lawrence F. London, Jr. -+|+- Venaura Farm
> london@metalab.unc.edu lflondon@worldnet.att.net
> http://metalab.unc.edu/london, /permaculture, /ecolandtech
> EcoLandTech -+|+- InterGarden -+|+- Permaculture
>
> Offshoot of the WF thread:
>
> > Ditto - same thing in Austin during the Texas Organic Growers annual
> meeting.
>
> Why isn't there a North Carolina Natural Growers .....
>
> instead of a proliferation of "non-profits" :-) :-) :-)
> claiming to support the market grower and small farmer, that rely on
> grants, donations and membership fees for survival, and, of course, money
> from the few "organic" farmers in the state willing to shell out a chunk
> of their hard earned income to pay for the 3rd party certification - in
> the face of loss of market share, lowered prices, increased competition
> from out-of-area companies.
>
>
> We have needed this for a long time and need it even more now. I wish a
> few of us could figure out a way to get a real organization for North
> Carolina natural growers started. This would accomodate the organic but
> non-certified grower who would rely on building credibility and faith
> amongst consumers who buy from him through csa, local green market,
> farmers market, direct sales, coop or even brokerage service. Those
> wanting organic certification would be accomodated as well.
> Grow locally - sell locally. We are losing growers, farmland and market
> share here in NC and We need to do something real to shore up small
> farming as a lifestyle and way of making a living here and all over the
> US.
>
> Eric Kindberg came to NC a few years ago and outlined a very effective
> plan for accomplishing much of the above. We need to followup on this
> now.
>
> Why are there so few posts originating from North Carolina in this forum?
>
> Eric:
> -----
> Ascend the stage. Give us an update on your ideas, a plan for the next
> millenium for small growers in NC ....and elsewhere.
>
>
>
>
>
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