Area Farmers to be Surveyed on
Transportation Needs the Week of April 21-25

CONTACT: Terry VanDerPol or Tom Taylor, LSP, 320-269-2105

4/17/08
MONTEVIDEO, Minn. — In recent years, it has become clear that western Minnesota produces much more food for local consumption than previously believed. But as local production and consumption of meat, vegetables, grains and fruit grows, transportation and distribution have emerged as major barriers to such an agricultural system becoming a key part of the area’s economy.

With that in mind, the Land Stewardship Project (LSP) will be sending out a special transportation survey to area farmers the week of April 21-25. Results from the survey will help guide work into making the region’s transportation system more “local food friendly.”

“One of the toughest problems facing a farmer who markets the farm’s production is transportation,” said Jim VanDerPol, a Kerkhoven, Minn., farmer who direct markets pork and other products to consumers and retailers. “Often the transportation networks set up by and for conventional grocery suppliers are not accessible to a sustainable farmer. This part of the new food system is the weak link and must be improved.”

Farmers who produce food for area markets should receive the survey sometime during the week of April 21-25. This is an extremely busy time for farmers, but it should take no more than 15 minutes to complete the survey. The results will be publicized this summer and will be made available to everyone who participated.

“The confidential survey is designed to provide a general picture of transportation modes, costs and needs,” said Terry VanDerPol, Director of LSP’s Community Based Food Systems and Economic Development Program. “LSP is hoping to use the survey to develop an efficient local food system that keeps wealth local and is more profitable for everyone involved.”

If you operate a transportation or distribution business in the region and are interested in carrying food produced by farmers for local and regional food markets, LSP would like to hear from you.

“Rising fuel costs provide an opportunity for local and regional food systems,” said Terry VanDerPol. “Creating efficient distribution systems for the good food farmers in this region are growing represents real economic opportunity for rural people.”

If you are a farmer and would like to participate in the survey but did not receive one, stop by LSP’s Montevideo office at 301 State Road, or call 320-269-2105. If you are involved, or would like to be involved, in transporting food in the region, contact VanDerPol or organizer Tom Taylor in the LSP office.

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