Food producers are central to rebuilding local food systems, but they are often missing from conversations and events that focus on aggregation, distribution, and procurement. In order to build collaborative supply chains, both established and early-stage producers need to be part of these conversations.
Local Orbit works to ensure the success of local food producers, and we’re particularly excited to provide opportunities for local producers in our home state Michigan!
We’re excited to invite Michigan farmers and food makers to participate in the discussion with national leaders about Transparency, Collaboration & Shared Value in Local Food Economies, and we want to make sure the workshop includes more Michigan producers that will benefit.
The workshop is an exciting opportunity for producers, local food distribution leaders, and institutional foodservice professionals to collaborate across the supply chain.
Understanding business process and customer needs is critical to prepare for growth in every business. And learning to collaborate with buyers and distributors – the focus of this workshop – is vital for successful wholesale producers.
Who should apply?
- Michigan farmers and food makers who currently sell to or want to expand to wholesale markets.
- You should be a full time producer with annual sales of at least $50,000 in 2015 and on track to do the same in 2016.
We’re offering a limited number of discounted $50 admissions.
If you’re interested, click here to email Conor Butkus to learn more and apply.
Further reading:
We had the opportunity to sit down and chat with two of our farmer discussion catalysts Vicki Zilke of Zilke Vegetable Farm and Dan Hobbs of Arkansas Valley Growers. They both discussed the role of food hubs and networks in scaling up wholesale markets for producers.