Project Grant 20183380028406

OUR GROWING THE FOOD CHAIN IN MISSOURI--BUILDING URBAN-RURAL RELATIONSHIPS AROUND FOOD PROJECT BUILDS ON OUR PRIORITIES, VALUES, AND VISION FOR FOOD SECURITY IN MISSOURI, AND WILL FOCUS ON THESE OBJECTIVES:OBJECTIVE 1: LAUNCH A COLLABORATIVE BUY LOCAL FOOD CAMPAIGN WITH PRODUCERS AND LOCAL FOOD COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE SALES AND MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS, AND WHOLESALE AND RETAIL BUSINESSES IN MID-MISSOURI AND ST. LOUIS.OBJECTIVE 2: SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE SALES OF PATCHWORK FAMILY FARMS TO INDIVIDUALS USING DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER ACTIVITIES, THE EXPANSION OF OUR MEAT BUNDLE MODEL, AND OTHER CREATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACHES.OBJECTIVE 3: GROW OUR EXPERIENTIAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES IN MID-MISSOURI AND ST. LOUIS, INCLUDING INITIAL FARM CAMP EXPERIENCES, EXPANDED COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS/LESSONS, A LOCAL FOOD CAREER PATH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, AND A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.OBJECTIVE 4: CONNECT FARMERS WITH URBAN CONSUMERS IN WAYS THAT BUILD LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS THAT LEAD TO INCREASED INTEREST IN AND COMMITMENT TO BUYING LOCAL FOOD.OBJECTIVE 5: DEVELOP THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO EXPAND THE FLOW OF FAMILY FARM-RAISED FOOD THROUGH THE FOOD CHAIN IN MISSOURI, PARTICULARLY IN LOW-INCOME AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.TAKEN TOGETHER, WE BELIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES WILL HELP US ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT SUSTAINABILITY, OPEN NEW MARKETS IN URBAN AREAS, AND CREATE MORE ACCESS TO LOCAL FOODS FOR LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY FAMILIES.THE GROWING THE FOOD CHAIN IN MISSOURI--BUILDING URBAN-RURAL RELATIONSHIPS AROUND FOOD PROJECT WILL SUBSTANTIALLY IMPACT FOOD SECURITY IN MISSOURI THROUGH A COMMON VISION OF THE FOOD SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS:DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED BY MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE TO FARMERS AND CONSUMERS.MEETS THE FOOD NEEDS OF MISSOURIANS AT ALL INCOME LEVELS.DECENTRALIZED, BUT COLLABORATIVE, IN TERMS OF PRODUCTION, PROCESSING AND MARKETING.BENEFICIAL TO THE ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.THIS PROJECT ALSO DRAWS ON THE EXPERIENCE AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS DEVELOPED BY MISSOURI RURAL CRISIS CENTER PROJECT DIRECTOR, RHONDA PERRY, AND OTHER STAFF THROUGH THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THREE EARLIER COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY PROJECTS IN 1998, 2000, AND 2006.NOW, WE ARE AT A CRITICAL POINT AND THIS PROJECT WILL ALLOW US TO MOVE SUBSTANTIALLY FORWARD AND PRIORITIZE MAKING THE NECESSARY CONNECTIONS BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN AND WHITE PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR, SPECIFICALLY WITH YOUTH AND ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF LIMITED-RESOURCE FAMILIES AND FAMILIES OF COLOR.