regional partnerships and approaches to farm to institution - presentation

Regional Partnerships and Approaches to Farm to Institution

Peter Allison, Farm to Institution New England (FINE)  peter@farmtoinstitution.org; 802.436.4067

Kelly Erwin, Massachusetts Farm to School Program/ RSC Member for Northeast FTS Steering Committee kea@massfarmtoschool.org; 413-253-3844

Christine James, John Merck Fund cjames@jmfund.org; 617-556-4120

Kathy Lawrence, School Food FOCUS klawrence@schoolfoodfocus.org; 914.708.7053

Vanessa Herald, UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems/ RLA- Great Lakes Region of the National Farm to School Network vherald@wisc.edu; 608.263.6064

What is one issue related to partnerships and collaboration that you want to talk about today?

FARM TO INSTITUTION NEW ENGLAND (FINE)

www.FarmToInstitution.org

Collective Impact

Large-scale social change requires broad cross-sector coordination, yet the social sector remains focused on the isolated intervention of individual organizations.

Collective Impact: By John Kania & Mark Kramer, published in Stanford Social Innovation Review, Winter 2011

http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/collective_impact

FINE - Overview

Six-state collaboration working to strengthen our regional food system by increasing the demand and use of New England food by New England institutions

Initiated by the National Farm to School Network (Northeast Regional Steering Committee) with strong support from the six New England Chief Agriculture Officers

Base of engaged funders – USDA-RD, John Merck Fund, Kendall Foundation, and others

Expanding partnership to include change agents in hospitals, colleges, corporations, and agencies

Effective involvement by government entities

FINE Structure

Leadership Team Coordinator Fiscal Sponsor Workgroup Leaders Project Leaders Community of

Practice/Learning Communities

Overview of FINE Projects

Distribution Processing Procurement Scratch Cooking Product Focus: Beef to

Institution

Identify barriers Conduct pilot projects and

research Support state projects and

networks Convene partners &

learning communities Recommend policy

change Measure progress Share information

Supply Chain Focus Cross-Cutting Strategies

www.FarmToInstitution.org

Why focus on institutions?

Logical outgrowth of FTS efforts

Institutions have lots of consumers – In New England: 2.16 million K-12 students ($150

million school food purchases) 900 thousand college and

university students and staff 43 thousand people hospital

staff

Institutions are stable Institutions are visible to

current and future leaders

Why focus on a regional approach?

There is a New England regional identity

Producers and consumers are split geographically MA has 50% of

population VT raises 50% of dairy

and beef ME has 50% of acres of

berries and vegetables

Why focus regionally?

Each state has unique assets to share with the others

Food system companies cross state lines Producers,

distributors, food service companies

Potentially greater policy influence

What is challenging?

It’s a big place and people are busy – hard to get together in person and to keep up

States do have their own agendas, structures and identity

Real and perceived competition between partners and region for: Dollars Leadership and credit Time and attention of leaders

The existential questions: Who we are – Who is a partner? What does that mean?

Where are we heading?

Expand and clearly define partner base

Develop targeted measurement strategies

Create a more advanced and integrated communication system

Continue pilot and research projects

Convene regional communities of practice/ learning communities

Support our state programs and networks that support the regional collaboration