concept to reality -...

www.LocalRootsWooster.com

Local Roots Market from

Concept to Reality

Local Foods What was available

1. On Farm Sales – Seasonal Only

2. Farmers Markets – Seasonal & Year round

3. CSAs3. CSAs

4. Auctions


Steering Committee Members

• Betsy AndersonEntomologist – OARDC, Baker

• John AndersonPoultry Researcher - OARDC

• Bill BoyerIndustrial Tech HS Teacher, Gardener

• Marlene BoyerFamily & Consumer Sciences HS Teacher,

Baker

• Jessica EikleberryEngineer, Business/Computer Systems

• Marlene BarkheimerBank President

• Dave BenchoffOEFFA Board Member, Farmer

• Monica BonguePhD Biochemistry, Farmer

Baker

• John DrouhardElectrician, SEN President

• Jen HugonGraphic Artist, Web page design

• Jennifer McMullenCollege of Wooster/Internet writer

• Keith SpeirsArchitect, SEN member

Holistic SolutionMultifaceted one-stop shop

• Convenient Location/Hours

• Easy for Producers to sellFast drop off, don’t have to be onsite, online pre-saleFast drop off, don’t have to be onsite, online pre-sale

• Easy for Buyers to buyYear round, pick & choose, payment methods

• EducationCooking, preserving

• Community


Mission Statement

“To establish a year-round market place for

the purpose of connecting consumers and

producers of locally grown foods and other

agricultural products. Our goals are to

encourage healthy eating, expand local

economic development, promote community

involvement, and sustainable living.”


Journey to RealityStructure

For Profit Cooperative –

Producer AND Consumer Cooperative

• Membership Structure to allow all incomes

• Encourage community with volunteer credits

“Business plan”

• Determined viability, examined risks


Journey to RealityGuidelines

• Defined Local as Ohio

• Had to be a member to sell

Sellers only – no brokers, no resellers• Sellers only – no brokers, no resellers

• Disclose Production Practices

• Encourage local sourcing of ingredients

• Agriculturally based …… now expanded


Journey to RealityRules

• Market space priorities

• Online system unlimited

Space in market …..FREE• Space in market …..FREE

• Sellers set own price

• 10% commission


Journey to RealityCommunity Support/Funding

• Community meetings, promoting

• Membership drive

No single large supporter• No single large supporter

• Commissioner support

• ODA Specialty Crop Grant

• Donations

• Volunteerswww.LocalRootsWooster.com

Journey to RealityMarket Setup

Before Opening from 5/09 – 10/09

126 Members $10,400 (6 Lifetime, 44 Volunteer)126 Members $10,400 (6 Lifetime, 44 Volunteer)

5 Member Loans $11,950

Approx. $4,000 in expenses (Inc, paint, phone)


Journey to RealityDELAYS

Opened our doors 11/7/2009 as a

FARMERS’ MARKET

22 Producers – sold 707 items for $3,869.5222 Producers – sold 707 items for $3,869.52

to 217 customers (148 non-members)



• Operated as a Farmers Market through 12/18

– 7 Markets $38,809.60 in sales

– Payout to producers $35,006.39 – Payout to producers $35,006.39



Closed through January for renovations to obtain Retail renovations to obtain Retail Food Establishment License



Reopened 2/6 as a Market and Coffee shop

Opened the online system on 2/6 with first

pickup 2/13


Local Roots Today

• Open 3 days

• 1 employee

• 500 members/121 producers

• 80 producers selling each week

• Weekly Sales - 50% members• Weekly Sales - 50% members

• Ohio Direction Card

• Volunteers

• Classes

• Community

• “Local Food Hero” Award


Looking Toward the FutureCompleting the Vision

• Open more days

• Café/Commercial Kitchen– Provide ready to eat– Provide ready to eat

– Preserving & value add

• Butcher Option– Fresh meats

– Specialty cuts


Community Impacts

• Existing Producers to Expand– Another outlet

– Season extension

• Small Business Development• Small Business Development

• Shoppers have to think local first


Questions?


concept to reality -...

Documents