Local Foods Week
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Jennifer Schutter
HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST
KIRKSVILLE
Abstract
There is great interest in local foods in Northeast Missouri. The number of vendors at the farmers’ markets around the region has doubled and the number of customers shopping for local foods has increased. University of Missouri Extension-Adair County and Truman State University in Kirksville partner on projects, and in 2010-2011, received a Specialty Crops Grant for $73,564 through the Missouri Department of Agriculture. This grant allowed us to hire a local foods coordinator to oversee the vegetable production and vineyard on the Truman State Farm. Instead of hosting a Food Fest as we had done the previous 10 years, we organized “Local Foods Week” in Kirksville, MO. I wrote a proclamation and met with the city council where it was signed by the mayor, declaring it “Local Foods Week”, September 24-October 1, 2011. Local Foods Tee-shirts were made and sold to raise funds to support a local school garden. Activities were planned for each day of the week. Restaurants featured local food items on their menus at a discount, a vegetable tour and local foods meal was held at the University farm, cooking demonstrations were held at a grocery store using local foods, a farmers’ market was held on the mall at Truman State University, an open house was held at the farm of a local grower, and news articles were written about growing, buying and eating local foods. Approximately 1500 people participated in the activities and were made aware of the availability of local foods.
Authors: Schutter, J.
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Schutter, J. Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 63501