The Institutional Food Market Coalition (IFM) works to connect large volume institutional buyers in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors with local Wisconsin produce auctions and growers.

This website provides information for buyers looking to source large quantities of local and organic Wisconsin product, and for growers interested in selling large volumes of wholesale fruit and produce.

Buyers Institutional food buyers are demanding more fresh, local and organic ingredients, and WI producers are looking for new market opportunities. Produce at Growers Produce Auction, Cashton, WI. WI Auctions/Growers Produce auctions offer an excellent sourcing option for large volume buyers because they aggregate the product of hundreds of growers and are able to sell large volumes of food at wholesale prices. Because institutional demand is dramatically increasing, so too is demand for local product and additional growers. Badgerland Order-Buyer, Mike Zabel, describes purchasing options to institutional buyers on a 2008 field trip. News and Info "A Successful Partnership Begins…" IFM teams up with a local produce auction and connects dozens of new large volume private and public sector institutional clients to fresh WI produce. Buyers examine produce at Badgerland.

Exciting Program Highlights! Institutional buyers are choosing locally grown for many reasons, including: Competitive pricing Tastier, more nutritious food Local sales support WI family farms and rural communities Local sourcing helps to reduce air pollution by decreasing the number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) from farm to table One to Four - Buying locally contributes to economic development. For every one dollar spent on locally grown WI products, it is estimated that four dollars stay locally, creating a significant multiplier effect. An increase in institutional demand = increase in demand for inputs such as fertilizer, seed, labor, transportation services, equipment and machinery, insurance and marketing services, etc… About IFM IFM is a program of the Dane County Planning and Development Department. IFM’s mission is to identify and help build new markets for Dane County and regional producers and increase sourcing of locally grown products. Contact IFM 2009: What’s In Store? July 17 and August 7: Field trips to Badgerland. November 9: IFM Annual Meeting Stay tuned for further info…