Background
On March 25, 2008, citizens affiliated with local foods efforts of the Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (NW RSDP) convened at the University of Minnesota – Crookston campus to discuss the future of local food systems in the region [for agenda and participants, see Appendices A and B]. Following a reflective conversation, overview of past NW RSDP local foods initiatives [Appendix C] and identification of key opportunities and issues, the group spent the day developing multi-year plans that focus on four critical areas for investment:
· Marketing and Economics of Local Foods
· Policy Development
· Consumer and Youth Education
· Infrastructure Development: Relationship Building and Coordination
These four categories should shape the Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships’ funding decisions and strategies for strengthening local food systems in the northwestern part of the state.
The NW RSDP will need to determine whether or not the above categories are overarching frameworks to guide decision-making around citizen-submitted idea forms, or if the NW RSDP Board of Directors should initiate more targeted programming that meets the specific objectives outlined by their colleagues participating in the strategic planning process. Alternatively - as is the case in the West Central region – the approach could combine the two
