Peter Allison, FINE Coordinator

1. Farm to Institution New England - FINE
www.farmtoinstitution.org
FINE Fall Forum
Old Sturbridge Village
November 22, 2013

2. FINE’S MISSION
A Six State Collaboration
working to strengthen our
regional food system by
increasing the demand for and
use of New England food by
New England institutions such
as schools, hospitals, colleges,
and government.

3. FINE ROOTS
▪ Organized by Northeast
Regional FTS network (NE &
NY)
▪ Early interest from New
England Chief Agricultural
Officers and USDA
▪ Expanding partnerships of
organizations and funders

4. WHY FOCUS ON THE FTI SUPPLY CHAIN?
§ Institutions represent a
big, dependable potential
market for New England
farmers
§ People care about the
food served in schools,
colleges and hospitals

5. HOW MUCH FOOD DO NEW ENGLAND
INSTITUTIONS BUY?
! K-12 = 2.16 million students / $150 million school
food purchases
! College = 900 thousand students / 275 million meals
a year
! Hospitals = 43 thousand eaters / 97 million meals a
year
$1-2 Billion

6. WHY FOCUS ON A REGIONAL STRATEGY?
§ We have a regional identity in New
England
§ New England is small compared to
other regions
§ Distributors and Food Service
Companies cross state lines
§ Imbalance in the regional food shed
§ Lessons to be learned and shared

7. THERE IS AN IMBALANCE IN THE NEW
ENGLAND FOOD SHED
! MA has 50% of the 14 M
people
! VT has 50% of the cows
! ME has 50% of the acres of
berry and vegetable
production

8. WHO IS FINE?
§ Growing network of partners
§ 9 person Leadership Team
§ Project Leaders and Teams
§ Work Groups
§ Fiscal Sponsor
§ Coordinator

9. FINE’S APPROACH
§ Target barriers in supply and
demand chain
§ Conduct research
§ Manage pilot projects
§ Convene Communities of
Practice
§ Document and disseminate
information and best
practices
§ Identify and promote policy
drivers

10. PROJECTS AND WORKGROUPS
§ Current Projects
§
§
§
§
Farm to College
Beef to Institution
Supply Chain
Food Processing
§ Prior Projects
§ Farm to State Agency
§ K-12 Scratch Cooking
§ Distribution Research & Best
Practices
§ Workgroups
§
§
§
§
Development
Communication
Metrics
Policy

11. OTHER COOL STUFF GOING ON

12. LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD
§ Development
§ Strategic Planning
§ Communications

13. DEVELOPMENT POSITION

14. INTERNAL GOAL: STAKEHOLDERS IN
FINE ARE ALIGNED, CONNECTED AND
1. A structure is created
to identify appropriate
coordinated actions
11. FINE decision making
is inclusive & transparent
& provides a structure for
stakeholder input &
participation
ENGAGED IN SUCCESSFUL
COORDINATED ACTION FOR MUTUAL
BENEFIT - ORANGE
2. A structure is created to
identify appropriate F2I
stakeholders
3. Increased support for
pilot projects that
demonstrate successful
sustainable food
systems
10. FINE network is able
to articulate the value
proposition of F2I for
diverse stakeholders
KLI 2
9. More opportunity for
FINE stakeholders to
identify each other, engage
in dynamic dialogue, share
learning & information/
resources
4. FINE engages at
least 3 new
organizations in its
activities by July 2014
KRI
8. More definition of
FINE priorities &
tangible outcomes that
are sought
5. FINE creates shared
measurement systems
KLI 1
7. More institutions are
aware of & consciously
working toward FINE’s
shared goals
6. More alignment with
partners & stakeholders in
shared goals, overlapping
mission/vision statements,
stronger coalitions &
networks

15. OUTREACH EFFORTS
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