S.D. Local Foods Coalition ~ May 2024 Update
On May 21st, 2024, 15 participants met online for the SD Local Foods Coalition bi-monthly meeting.
MJ Adams discussed the need for local food branding. She spoke of creating a decal restaurants could place in their windows to signify locally sourced ingredients. The group discussed creating a sub-committee made up of restaurant representatives and producers to design a local foods symbol and brainstorm on how to promote the use of local foods in restaurants.
Sub Committee Reports
The 2024 SD Local Foods Conference will take place at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, November 8-9. The group discussed possible speakers. The committee requested recommendations for local meal partners. Anyone wishing to assist in providing for or catering the conference meals should contact the committee. The next planning meeting is June 10 at 3PM CST/ 2 PM MST.
Farm to School has sent out a survey on the use of locally sourced foods to all SD schools, with an approximately 60% return rate. Of the surveys returned, 1 in 3 schools are utilizing the Beef in Schools program. Research from surveys and a SDSU Farm to School research project will be presented at the June Farm To School meeting.
A marketing survey was released for the committee: https://forms.gle/E1KQypCpnJAqZV8p9
SD Local Foods Coalition meetings are scheduled for the third Tuesday of every other month at 2 PM CST/1:00 MST. Next meeting will be held on July 16th.