Infrastructure for a Local Food Economy ACEnet Food

Infrastructure for a Local Food Economy ACEnet Food Ventures Center

Reinventing the Local Food Economy The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks is a regional entrepreneurship and economic development organization (501 c 3) located in Athens, Ohio. ACEnet builds the capacity of communities to network, work together and innovate to create a dynamic, sustainable regional economy with opportunities for all.

Where We Work Rolling foothills

Where We Work Small towns

Where We Work Primary Service Area Appalachia Counties Clients also come from other parts of Ohio and adjacent states

ACEnet Strategies 1. Training & technical assistance 2. Business incubation & infrastructure development 3. Access to capital services, partnerships & referrals 4. Capacity building through product innovation, branding & adoption of technology

Food Sector Development

At the crossroads of local food economies Food Security for All New Economic Opportunities Environmental Sustainability

Farms & Foodways Food & farm microenterprises are part of our heritage

Long Tradition of Markets Athens Farmers Market over 37 years old

Local Food Movement Partners …cycling towards a local food economy Reinventing Local Infrastructure & Systems Nurturing Food & Farm Entrepreneurs Enhancing Food Security

… Reinventing Local Infrastructure Market Programs 1. Regional brands 2. Local brokers 3. Online marketing Distribution 1. Central warehouses 2. Produce auctions 3. Expand farmers market 4. Market pavilions/sheds Production & Processing 1. Farm incubators 2. Expansion of shared-use processing facilities: produce, meat, dairy, bakery 3. Co-packing businesses emerge 4. Policy & regulatory obstacles alleviated for smaller scale producers

Shared-use Commercial Kitchen Facility Design Issues • Operational use • Licensing • Equipment needs • Management/staffing capacity

Food Ventures Center Timeline Highlights 1992 -95 Raise funding for facility 1993 -on Develop services & programming for food & farm entrepreneurs 1995 Close on property – begin renovation 1996 Open FV Center April 1996 1997 Start raising funds for expansion 2000 Facility expansion complete 2004 Seafood HACCP & ODA Meat license Funding Partners USDA – Rural Development EDA – Dept of Commerce Ohio Dept. of Agriculture Local Bank Loans

Food Ventures Center Facility Specs · 12, 000 sq ft shared manufacturing facility · 10 offices · 3 loading docks · Shipping and receiving · Conference and training room · Retail space · Storage for dry, refrigerated & frozen goods · Reception, fax, copier, computers

Processing & Distribution Approximately 85 tenants in Food Ventures --farmers, specialty food & foodservice businesses

Processing Operations Types of Operations & Licenses l Bakery operations l Thermal processing l Foodservice l Frozen food l Dry packaging l Pasta production l ODA meat license l Seafood processing l Warehousing

Bakery Operations 12 Convection Ovens Dough Roller / Bread Slicer 2 Proofers 5 Larger Capacity Mixers

Thermal Processing 185 gallon cooking capacity 250 gallon pre-mix vat Semi-automated Production Pulper-Finisher Vertical Chopper/Mixer

Food Service Cham’s Lebanese Cuisine At ACEnet Her Own Restaurant

Warehousing and Distribution

Facility Rates & Leases • Hourly rates • Rates based on production areas • Customized Leases • Programs for Low-income Users • 3 Tier Rate Approach for Service Area • Equipment agreements

Nurturing Food & Farm Entrepreneurs … Market access 1. Market partners 2. Buy Local campaigns 3. Training programs Production & Processing Distribution channels 1. Local distribution networks 2. New delivery businesses 3. Online technologies applied 1. Community gardeners evolve into local food entrepreneurs 2. Programs & agencies assist new & expanding farmers 3. Food & farm entrepreneurs have access to subsidized infrastructure/land 4. Policy & regulatory obstacles alleviated for smaller scale producers

Tenants– Many Start-ups primarily low-income entrepreneurs

Established Businesses Can Grow Significantly – Sales, Employees & Market Reach

Farm Families – Focus on Value Adding

Specialty Food Producers

Regional Flare

Regional Food Branding Ads, inserts & demos

Regional Brands Many New Food We Love Products

Accomplishments The Food We Love™ • Over 50 specialty food producers & farmers are featured in the Athens Kroger — Food We Love program. • Shoppers can find over 200 different products in every food category across the store. • ACEnet brokers & distributes Food We Love™ product lines to stores in Athens, Nelsonville, Middleport, Pomeroy, Cambridge & Shawnee. • Seven regional grocery stores showcase Food We Love™ in the signature retail display units