|
Large volume buyers have many options for sourcing local Wisconsin produce and value added products:
Source local through a distributor
Contact IFM for information about distributors that carry Wisconsin-grown
produce and local foods. And keep asking your primary vendor for local! Before they carry it,
distributors must know that there is a demand. Be sure to discuss with a distributor how you define
local. Do you want produce from Wisconsin, the Midwest, or 100 miles from your institution?
Buy from a local produce auction
Wisconsin produce auctions aggregate produce from local growers, resulting in a
diverse selection of high quality product at wholesale prices. You do not have to attend the auction to
buy – you can place an order by phone and the auction Order Buyer will purchase for you.
Purchase farm direct
Some institutions purchase directly from a farm or farm cooperative because they receive high quality
products with a personal connection. Be sure to review your regulations (refrigeration, insurance,
billing) with the grower. Contact us for information about farms near you.
Buy through the IFM Local Foods Program
You can source local year-round with value added products. Find producers of milk, cheese, beef and more
through the
IFM Local Foods Program.
These producers have wholesale pricing, deliver, are Wisconsin companies,
and use Wisconsin ingredients.
Find local producers through Something Special from Wisconsin
The Something Special from
Wisconsin program lists producers of vegetables, dairy, meat, cheese, milk, eggs, yogurt and
other more in their directory. These great Wisconsin items are all marked with the SSfW logo – a
great way to highlight local product to your customers.
Buy local food online
Bid on local produce online! The website
LocalDirt.com
works like eBay for produce. It’s easy to use and may score you a great deal!
|