ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo

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can also function as the main outlet for the branding of Erie County foods
(as hubs are also commonly places for light processing before distribution
to the purchasing areas), and applying county­wide branding or a uniform
logo for Erie County food that would help consumers easily identify which
products are locally­grown or processed. Additionally, an internet presence
for identifying potential buyers for both food producers and consumers
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7. Make available a master food system contact directory (High Priority)
There is currently no comprehensive directory of producers,
processors or distributors of the local food system. The County must make
an effort to furnish informational resources to any participant in the food
system, achieved primarily through a regularly­updated website. Such a
contact and service inventory would highlight networks among entities in
the food system, who trades with whom, and lead to new local connections.
This system would minimize the food supply chains originating from outside
the county, resulting in minimizing the food dollars escaping the county.
The Department needs to begin a system of updating and verifying farmer,
business, and stakeholder contact information. The Farmer’s Resource
Appendix is a start, but more needs to be done to make the directory
complete and to make it readily available to participants in the food system
(See Appendix E).
8. Enable a food transportation cooperative (Medium Priority)
Considering the high cost of transportation for farmers, a program
should exist to pool the needs of many farms to transport their goods
mutually. The County must recognize a need for private entrepreneurial
leaders to start and invest in such programs. The Cornell Cooperative
Extension could offer assistance in setting up such a program, if not done by
individual entrepreneurs.
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