Yep. it’s true. I’ve hinted about it before. Here’s a e-mailed Q&A with Margaret Larson of the University of Illinois Extension for Winnebago and Stephenson counties.
What’s the formal title of the directory? Local Foods Directory-Northern Illinois
How did the idea get started? Why and when? The idea started last April when Jane Anderson, the President of the Winnebago County 4-H and Extension Foundation, went to the Visitors Bureau to find a list of local cheese makers. They gave her a list from Green County, Wisconsin. I had examples of other local directories and showed Jane, and she urged me to consider putting a directory together for our area, since there was not one available. She knew we were interested in doing educational programming in the area of local foods and small farms production and felt that this would be a good way to connect with the local producers.
Are you the organizer behind this? Yes, I have been working with other colleagues in Extension around the state to look at the different related programming that counties are doing related to this topic. I have been active in the area providing information and education related to this topic and felt that it was a good project for the Extension Office.
What definition of “local food” are you using for the directory? As you know, there is no set definition of “local” for something like this. I tell people it depends on the area and their ability to produce food. We have a great variety of food produced locally; it just seems that many people don’t realize it.
We looked at two things — who are the producers in our immediate area, i.e. Winnebago County, Belvidere, Cherry Valley and so on. Some may be right over the border in Wisconsin but still very accessible for our population. Then we looked at products that no one in our area produces, so we included producers who might be a bit farther away. An example would be that we didn’t include vegetable producers from some distance away, because there are a number in our immediate area. But, for some specialty products, there is no one local producer, so we may include someone in Carroll County, for example.
How many providers are listed? Nearly 70 producers are listed as well as local farmers markets, plus businesses and stores that support local foods.
How is it organized? By name? By food type? Both? The producers are listed alphabetically by name or name of their business, if that is what they are identified by. We also have a system that identifies them as Farmers Market Vendors, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) or farm direct operations.
How will it be available to the public? On the web? In a book? Both? For free? For a fee? When? Where? It is being printed — funded by the Foundation and a grant through SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education), which is a part of Extension. We will have it available at no cost and will be supplying the Visitors Bureau with copies. We will also have it on our Web site and will encourage people and organizations to put a link on their sites. We will have a downloadable PDF as well, so people can print their own copy at home.
Who are you trying to reach with the directory? What are you trying to achieve? What are you doing to promote it? We are trying to reach anyone in the area who wants to learn more about where there food comes from. It is evident by the response from producers that there are many local farms that provide opportunities for fresh produce, meats, dairy etc. As well, there is a lot of interested in “green” and “sustainability,” and I think that our concern with our food should be at the top of the list as we approach improving the way we do things. We will be asking the producers who are listed to promote the directory, and we will be supplying it to the Visitors Bureau, Chamber, etc. to pass out and promote.
How often will it be updated? We will update the Web-based copies as we get new information from producers. In terms of the printable version, that will depend on funding.
Are all of the providers organic? No, if they are certified organic, we include that information. Others include phrases like “pasture raised,” antibiotic and hormone free, and pesticide free in their description.
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