Progress 04/05/24 to 04/04/25
Outputs
Target Audience:The Farm to Grocery to Wholesale Backhaul engaged several target audiences during the past year. This includes farmers, food wholesalers, rural grocery stores, co-op grocery stores, food hubs, community development professionals, and consumers. Wholesale and Food Hubs: One goal of the F2G2W Backhaul project is to help local farmers and food businesses within Minnesota better access wholesale distribution. Wholesalers, including Mason Brothers, Russ Davis, UNFI, and Co-op Partners Warehousehave been important partners during this project and remain important target audiences. In addition to these wholesalers, we have expanded our focus to include local food hubs, including the Good Acre. Food hubs have more flexibility in working with small-scale local food producers than the other distributors, as they can work with smaller volumes and higher prices. The project team has reconnected with Mason Brothers regarding a backhaul pilot for 2025 and will attend the Mason Brothers trade show in early April 2025. We also toured the Good Acre Food Hub in December 2024 and Co-op Partners Warehouse in January 2024. Since the latter, we've remained in conversations with Co-op Partners and learned that they plan to start a new backhaul with a farmer who was engaged in this project in a previous year. Rural Grocers: The project team continues to engage with rural grocery stores through event, in person conversations, and through social media. Outreach specialists withUMN Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships have contacted all rural grocery stores in our database over the course of the past year to ensure we remain connected with them. Farmers and Other Food Producers: During this reporting period, the project team found two food businesses (one farmer, one value-added food business) who are interested in participating in future backhaul pilots, with one ready to do so this year. We also spoke with several more farmers, Extension staff, and other agriculture organizations to discuss other farms who had previously expressed interest in backhauling, but are not yet ready for wholesale due to issues related to scale. These farmers are therefore not well suited to this project. Finally one farmer who previously reached out to RSDP regarding this project will be backhauling with Co-op Partners Warehouse next year. Other Audiences: In April 2024, Dr. Draeger represented the agricultural scientists in the discussion of disruptions due to Space Weather at the Space Weather Workshop in Boulder, CO. Further, she was invited to the White House and appointed by the White House Science and Technology Office to the Space Weather Advisory board to represent agriculture and support inquiry intobuilding resilient food systems, production systems, and supply chains in the event of disruption. The backhaul model that hsi project is researching and systematizing is an integral part of the solutions being considered through these venues and boards. Further, the Department of Homeland Security held a week of meetings at theUniversity of Minnesota in January 2025, and Dr. Draeger presented to this delegation and faculty and staff at the University on potential disruptions to agriculture and supply chains and building resilience, such as the backhaul model. Changes/Problems:No major changes to report. A NCE was requested and approved to allow for an additional growing season to conduct a backhaul pilot, conduct trainings, and write up results. Additional staff was brought on to the project team in October 2024 to add capacity in wrapping up the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project spurred the development of a Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) grant that was completed in 2024. The purpose was to write a white paper on scenarios of a range of disruption and the role that a backhaul model can play in supply chains. The scenarios centered largely around impacts of space weather, but an event such as that stands as a place holder for other potential disrupting events, including severe weather, unrest, or other crisis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dr. Draeger presented "Space Weather Impact on GPS: What happened on May 10 and how will it affect farm profitability?" to an audience at Kansas State University in August of 2024 and was interviewed on Minnesota Public Radio from the Space Weather Workshop in Boulder, Colorado. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we will conduct a backhaul pilot with Doubting Thomas Farm and at least one distributor (to be determined). To support this backhaul, we will also help develop marketing materials for rural grocery stores to use in promoting Doubting Thomas products, provide sampling opportunities, and support inclusion in wholesaler flyers. We will interview CPW to understand the changes that led to a viable backhaul with Featherstone Farms, then share these findings with target audiences to inform future backhauls. We will arrange in-person, wholesale readiness trainings in each of RDSP's five regions in Minnesota to build on Extension's existing wholesale readiness programming. Finally, we will write several journal articles and educational materials to disseminate the findings of this project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the past year, we have reconnected with wholesalers, farmers, and topic experts to understand who is best served by the F2G2W supply chain and well suited for participation. Depending on the wholesaler, we have seen differing incentives for participating in the F2G2W supply chain. In the previous backhaul pilots, we learned that for traditional wholesalers who distribute to Minnesota's rural grocery stores, it is important to have a high volume of product per week, competitive pricing, and streamlined pickups. These factors are necessary to ensure that the financial return is worth the effort. In contrast, our conversations with Co-op Partners Warehouse, a regional wholesaler with a greater emphasis on local foods, have revealed a greater flexibility in backhaul criteria. They are incentivized to backhaul on empty trucks because they have some lower profit routes from which they need more value and they want to diversify their local supply chain to ensure future resilience. They also sell to many local co-op grocery stores, whose customers are willing to pay a premium for local foods. For farmers and other food producers, moving from direct sales to wholesale requires scaling up. As previously stated, traditional wholesalers in Minnesota require high volumes to make a profit from backhauling, and many producers are not able to meet these volumes alone. Additionally, wholesalers purchase items at lower prices than direct consumers, so higher sales volumes are necessary to offset lower margins. For these reasons, several farmers we spoke with were uninterested in starting wholesale at this time, as direct markets are a better fit. Extension has completed a Wholesale Readiness project, which we will use in the coming year of this project. In conversations with UMN Extension Staff and others who work with farmers directly, we were able to confirm that there are few farms who are interested in backhauling who are also currently ready for wholesale.There are currently only 14 GAP certified farms in Minnesota who grow crops other than potatoes and apples, and many of these are located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area or to the south/southeast of the metro. These factors limit the supply of wholesale produce in the state, but we have nonetheless identified a few backhaul partners for the coming year. Co-op Partners Warehouse has also indicated that the lack of appropriate retail packaging and knowledge of food safety by local farms limits their ability to purchase from more farms. RSDP could provide support in wholesale readiness education to increase the number of farms ready to work with CPW. We also have been investigating ways to bring more benefits to rural grocery stores participating in the F2G2W model. Other backhaul arrangements often try to limit the number of parties involved, due to logistical and safe food handling concerns. Several wholesalers who backhaul in Minnesota, for example, pickup directly from farms. Our model introduces rural grocery stores as pickup locations, but without careful consideration, this idea will only introduce complications. The grocers can charge a fee for being the location of backhaul pickup, but it isn't clear that there is a significant financial benefit to doing so. Instead, we are now looking for how grocery stores could benefit from participating, such as using rural grocery stores as hubs for farm-to-institution sales. Though we have identified wholesale readiness education as a pressing need for making future backhaul arrangements viable, we have identified a couple of farms for whom distribution remains a greater barrier than scale or price. First, we have spoken with Doubting Thomas Farm, which produces grains and cereals. Doubting Thomas has existing retail customers but would benefit from improved distribution. We believe that they will be a viable partner for a backhaul pilot in 2025. Second, we learned that Featherstone Farm, a diversified vegetable farm in southeastern Minnesota, will be backhauling with CPW in 2026. Featherstone previously contacted us with interest in this project, and we will look for ways to work with CPW to provide assistance in this backhaul. Third, we connected with a few interested food producers who are not at capacity for a backhaul this year, but will be in a few years, to find ways to prepare them to meet wholesaler criteria for backhauling. Finally, we've spoken with Extension educators who worked on the wholesale readiness curriculum to understand how RSDP's connections to rural Minnesota communities can help organize effective wholesale readiness training in the fall of 2025. One other important incentive for participating in backhaul that has been elucidated in the course of this project is that this is a model that can provide for a more resilient and reliable supply chain in the case of disruption. This has been further investigated and researched by Dr. Draeger, resulting in regional and national collaborations.
Publications
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Progress 04/05/23 to 04/04/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The Farm to Grocery to Wholesale (F2G2W) Backhaul Project engaged target audiences during its first year. The target audience includes farmers,wholesalers, rural grocery stores, community development professionals, and consumers. Wholesale One of the goals for the F2G2W Backhaul project is to pilot and test a new model of distribution. A critical audience is the wholesale sector in Minnesota. To access this audience, the project team has expanded relationships with wholesalers. The wholesalers reached as part of the project target audience include Mason Brothers Wholesale, Russ Davis, and UNFI Supervalu. Project team members continue to analyze the wholesale interview data. Understanding the limitations and variables that might impact this supply chain is vital for the pilot phase of the project. We connected with Co-op Partners Warehouse in early 2023 and they are currently running a backhaul logistics scenario for our team. We attended the Mason Brother trade show in April 2023 and got an understanding of what would be needed for a second backhaul. Rural Grocers The project team continually connects with rural grocers through events, in person conversations, and through social media. Conducted in partnership with the Minnesota Center for Survey Research, the mailed, 20 page 2019 Minnesota Rural Grocery Survey garnered a 55% response rate among the 250 rural grocery stores in Minnesota towns of populations less than 2,500. The survey gathered statewide information on rural grocer infrastructure, incentives, and associated behaviors to participate in the F2G2W supply chain. Results show that 32 stores are interested in serving as a cross-dock between wholesaler and farmer as part of the F2G2W model. The team has reached out to these stores to learn more about their interest and potential for partnership. At least four grocery stores have been contacted and are interested with our team to run a backhaul from their cross-dock. Farmers A major goal of the project is to test the F2G2W supply chain model in three different locations across the state of Minnesota. To do this, the project team needs established relationships with farmers who are interested in selling their crops into the wholesale market. During year 1 and 2, the project team established relationships with three different farmers who produce different specialty crops. The team has been implementing the F2G2W supply chain model to other farmers, depending on the outcome of the three test sites. Broad Audience Reach Beyond the target audience (farmers, rural grocery stores, and wholesalers), the project also hopes to continue to connect with the general public. The project team utilizes Extension communication outlets, such as RSDP's social media. This allows the team to share progress and updates with a wider audience. Changes/Problems:Nochanges are anticipated, although we have requested a NCE for this project to expand the number of growing seasons for research, training, and analysis. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project team provided multiple grant writing trainings to grocery store owners and managers interested in funding options to support their store infrastructure and equipment needs, including infrastructure needed for bidirectional supply chains, local foods, and fresh produce. The project team helped develop and then deployed 'wholesale readiness' training which supported farmers to be prepared to sell to a wholesale marketplace, which applies to all farms involved in the backhaul project. Project staff attended the 2024 Rural Grocery Summit and presented on the Bidirectional Supply Chain in a poster session. Further, project PI Dr. Draeger was on sabbatical reseaching severe disruptions to agriculture and developing scenarios for resilience. In this capacity she presented the backhaul project at the 2023 Space Enterprise Forum at the US Senate Caucus Chambers to an audience that included Homeland Security, FEMA, Department of Defense, USDA, and others. As a resulted, Dr. Draeger was invited to present to the USDA and Homeland Security the Continuity of Operations Excercise planning committee, which included a discussion of Bidirectional Supply Chains as a mechanism to build resilience into the food supply in the event of severe disruption. As a result of these professional development activities, the scope of this project has expanded to include considerations for using this supply chain model in event of a need for humanitarian logistics. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Updates on the project have been shared via social media and on the UMN RSDP website. Training materials developed and used for this project including the 'wholesale readiness' training have been rolled out via webinar and through this website - https://misa.umn.edu/farm-food-resources/wholesale-readiness-training We have presented multiple grantwriting educational webinars to over 20 rural grocery stores in Minnesota. These videos, as well as additional information on our grantwiring workshops, produce handling videos completed in 2023 and 2024 have been added to our Rural Grocery Store Resources page on the University of Minnesota RSDP webpage; https://extension.umn.edu/community-development/rural-grocery-stores#resources-2384819 Materials will continue to be compiled into a final workshop around specific topics such as the F2G2W supply chain overview and food safety would be made available within UMN Extension as well as other interested states. Materials will be continued to be presented at farm association meetings, namely the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Minnesota Organic Conference, Sustainable Farming Association, Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, and Marbleseed annual conferences. The project team will work with the Extension Small Farm Program (project team includes Ryan Pesch, a member of the Extension Small Farm Team) to incorporate materials into training for small and medium size farms.? What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, the project team plans to focus on: 1. Publish results from the economic feasibility analysis for each participating sector (grocers, wholesalers, and producers) in the F2G2W supply chain and disperse to communities. 2. Publish a factsheet of the other crops and farm products compatible with the F2G2W supply chain and implications for aggregation of crops and products to enter the F2G2W supply chain 3. Publish final report of research and data on the potential of creating a 'backhaul system' for farmers and for the supply chain. Extension Objectives 1. Coordinate F2G2W cross-docking (with our three farms and farm products already identified) with bidirectional distribution among multiple producers, rural grocery stores, wholesalers, and consumers at three test sites to support supply chain research. 2. Finalize curriculum and tools for farmers participating in the F2G2W supply chain and add a section in the 'wholesale readiness' specifically for backhauling food products as backhaul is highly specialized form of wholesale: 1. F2G2W supply chain curriculum will provide an overview of the model, the needed relationships and requirements to enter into the F2G2W supply chain 2. Coordinate production for wholesale training and materials for participating farmers 3. Develop and lead farm food safety curriculum, specific to F2G2W, to assist farmers in meeting wholesale food safety requirements, especially for high risk crops We are on track to meet these Extension and Research objectives at the end of the extended time period by April 2025.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Research Objectives R1. Analyze the incentives and behaviors that lead to participation in the F2G2W supply chain R1.1 Major activities completed include: • Afterthe In-depth interviews were conducted with all farmers who plan to backhaul their products in 2023 were completed through the bidirectional supply chain model, we followed up in planning backhauls. These farmers were identified as Bjorn Solberg of Hugh's Gardens, Noreen Thomas of Doubting Thomas Farm and Rick Dalen ofNorthern Harvest Farm. • Interviews with with wholesalers from Mason Brothers, Russ Davis, MANNA Food Co-op, Co-op Partners Warehouse, Whole Foods Co-op, Finland Food Co-op, Tony's Supervalue, to determine how a backhaul might look with their trucking logistics. Our Supply chain team expert Karen Donohue and her student intern Katie Myhre compiled our interviews and research of the F2G2W supply chain into a guide for future backhauls. Co-PI Dr. Hye-Young Kim conducted two online experiments tested the bidirectional distribution labeling effect on environmental, personal wellbeing, food quality, and community values. R1.2 Data collected: • Mixed method approach to data collection continued • Interviews and logistics were determined with farmer/producers Bjorn Solberg, owner of Hugh's Gardens, provided financial data that will be used in the economic feasibility analysis. • Logistical conversations were completed with Noreen Thomas of Doubting Thomas farm, Rick Dalen of Northern Harvest Farm in Wrenshall, MN, Big Stone Garlic, and grocery store MANNA Food Co-op, producers of the Finland Food Chain, the Finland Food Co-op. We reached out and collected data on the Lucky dog Farm, Agate acres, Little Waldo Farm and the Whole Foods Co-op in the Duluth, MN area. • We toured the Co-op Parnter's Wharehouse and facilities to understand their experience with backhauling. We learned that the Hugh's Potatoes are not being bought by them anymore due to inconsistencies in the size. This was disappointing as this was one of the potential partners we were looking to work with. • Reconnected with Les Olsen, garlic grower and Mason Brothers. Mason Brothers were not interested in backhauling with garlic in 2023 or 2024 mainly due to the price point being too high to resell among other reasons. R1.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results • Ongoing analysis from the report from Dr. Karen Donohue and the student she mentored, Katie Myhre. A1.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments are updated and realized in the 2024 financial projection report R2. Conduct economic feasibility analysis for each participating sector (grocers, wholesalers, and producers) are presented in the F2G2W supply chain R2.1 Major activities completed include: • Economic feasibility for each participating sector for farms and wholesale suppliers has been finalized and completed in the Donohue/Myhre Report. R2.2 Data collected: R2.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results A1.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized The Donohue/Kyhre reports and guidelines for both producers and wholesalers were used for seeking backhauls from farm to grocery to wholesale. Because of current the high price point and margin expectation from the wholesalers, we were not able to run a backhaul from any of our farmers or wholesalers in 2023. R3. We have determined that crops and farm products that store well, including potatoes, cabbage, carrot, as well as oats and other grains and can be grown in large amounts and providing consistent shipping make the best fit for backhauls from farm to grocery to wholesale. Another identified fit for backhaul is aggregation or food hub sites who compile specialty crops and with the increase of quantity will fulfill the wholesaler's needs for a large quantity, and therefore bringing the margin down and profit higher for the farmer. R3.1 Major activities completed include: • The project teamanalyzed crops and farm products that are compatible with the F2G2W supply chain. The project team looked atlogistics attributes (farm possibilities, farm location, ease of transfer, loading dock, wholesale trucking) andcame up with recommendations for farmer involvement backhaul and what thatentails. Challenges included having the quantity and consistency of product to provide a grocery store. Many of the trucking companies from the wholesalers are not flexible in their routes and we found it is not cost effective to backhaul less than a full truck load as they typically pick up FTE full truck loads. LTL is when the trucking company pays by the pallet and is more expensive. • We attended the Mason Brothers Trade Show in April 2023 and 2024 and met with dozens of grocery stores and added them to our database of grocery stores. We connected with the Manager of Mason Brothers Wholesale Distribution regarding opportunities for backhaul in 2024 and 2025. Project team members are contributing their expertise to fill in this spreadsheet. * Multiple factsheets and recommendations has been created to communicate this information through the Wholesale readiness curriculum. Extension Objectives E1. We have set up coordination of the F2G2W cross-docking and bidirectional distribution among multiple producers, rural grocery stores, wholesalers, and consumers at three test sites to support supply chain research through the MANNA Food co-op, Co-op Partners Warehouse (CPW)and Mason Brothers, Big Stone Garlic, Doubting Thomas Farms, and Hugh's Gardens Potatoes. Farms would drop at the MANNA Food Co-op grocery store and the CPW truck will bring back to the warehouse. E1.1 Major activities completed include: • Work is currently underway on the economic feasibility for each participating sector. This will be completed at the end of the project. E1.2 Data collected: E1.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results E1.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized • Work is currently underway on setting up test sites. This will be completed in the extended time period and completed by April 2025. E2. Developed curriculum and tools for farmers participating in the F2G2W supply chain through our Wholesale Readiness Training: 1. F2G2W supply chain curriculum provides an overview of the model, the needed relationships and requirements to enter into the F2G2W supply chain 2. Coordinates production for wholesale training and materials for participating farmers 3. Develop and lead farm food safety curriculum, specific to F2G2W, to assist farmers in meeting wholesale food safety requirements, especially for high risk crops E2.1 Major activities completed include: • The project team has conducted trainings on a "wholesale readiness" curriculum that includes education on the F2G2W supply chain and how to get ready for selling wholesale. Through additional funding secured through a Speciality Crop Block Grant, this partnership not only meets the objective of Extension Objective 2, but also creates a larger impact on small and medium size farmers in Minnesota. closely with another project at the University of Minnesota • Our project team has made a new partner, the MNTAP,an outreach program at the University of Minnesota that helps Minnesota businesses develop and implement industry-tailored solutions that prevent pollution at the source, maximize efficient use of resources, and reduce energy use and costs to improve public health and the environment. MNTAP was able to provide advise and energy audits for over a dozen grocery stores whom we are workign with. E2.2 Data collected: E2.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results E2.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized * This will be completed in the extended time period and completed by April 2025. E3. Disseminate research results and lessons learned through workshops, conferences, publication in peer reviewed journals, and the MISA Information Exchange *
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Lee, G., K. Hye-Young, K. Draeger, K. Donahue, G. Schweser, and R. Olive. Under Review 2024. Consumer Perceptions of Bidirectionally Distributed Local Produce: A Cue Utilization Perspective (JSOCM-08-2023-0201.R1) Journal of Social, Health and Environmental Change
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Progress 04/05/22 to 04/04/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The Farm to Grocery to Wholesale (F2G2W) Backhaul Project engaged target audiences during its first year. The target audience includes farmers,wholesalers, rural grocery stores, community development professionals, and consumers. Wholesale One of the goals for the F2G2W Backhaul project is to pilot and test a new model of distribution. A critical audience is the wholesale sector in Minnesota. To access this audience, the project team has expanded relationships with wholesalers. The wholesalers reached as part of the project target audience include Mason Brothers Wholesale, Russ Davis, and UNFI Supervalu. Project team members continue to analyze the wholesale interview data. Understanding the limitations and variables that might impact this supply chain is vital for the pilot phase of the project. We connected with Co-op Partners Warehouse in early 2023 and they are currently running a backhaul logistics scenario for our team. We attended the Mason Brother trade show in April 2023 and got an understanding of what would be needed for a second backhaul. Rural Grocers The project team continually connects with rural grocers through events, in person conversations, and through social media. Conducted in partnership with the Minnesota Center for Survey Research, the mailed, 20 page 2019 Minnesota Rural Grocery Survey garnered a 55% response rate among the 250 rural grocery stores in Minnesota towns of populations less than 2,500. The survey gathered statewide information on rural grocer infrastructure, incentives, and associated behaviors to participate in the F2G2W supply chain. Results show that 32 stores are interested in serving as a cross-dock between wholesaler and farmer as part of the F2G2W model. The team has reached out to these stores to learn more about their interest and potential for partnership. At least four grocery stores have been contacted and are interested with our team to run a backhaul from their cross-dock. Farmers A major goal of the project is to test the F2G2W supply chain model in three different locations across the state of Minnesota. To do this, the project team needs established relationships with farmers who are interested in selling their crops into the wholesale market. During year 1 and 2, the project team established relationships with three different farmers who produce different specialty crops. The team has been implementing the F2G2W supply chain model to other farmers, depending on the outcome of the three test sites. Broad Audience Reach Beyond the target audience (farmers, rural grocery stores, and wholesalers), the project also hopes to continue to connect with the general public. The project team utilizes Extension communication outlets, such as RSDP's social media. This allows the team to share progress and updates with a wider audience. Changes/Problems:Ren Olive, project coordinator left employment with the UMN in late Fall of 2022, and has been replaced by Zachary Paige who was hiredin January 2023. Some 'catch up time' was required for Zachary to get a grasp on project goals to coordinate the project and currently there are noissues on completing the outcomes for the project. Dr. Kathy Draeger, PI, was on sabbatical during the 2022-2023 academic year as well. During that time Greg Schweser was approved by USDA to serve as the interim PI. Staffing changes during this time delayed work on the project and hence we will be requesting a one year extension later this year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have provided a grant writing training webinar for grocery stores interested in exploring funding options to support their store in February 2023 to over 12 stores. We have supported and worked together with the 'wholesale readiness' training toolkitthat other UMN staff have created and have been using to provide information for farmers to get ready to sell to a wholesale marketplace, which applies to all farms involved in our backhauls. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Updates on the project have been shared via social media. Training materials developed and used for this project including the 'wholesale readiness' training have been rolled out via webinar and through this website - https://misa.umn.edu/farm-food-resources/wholesale-readiness-training Materials will continue to be compiled into a final workshop around specific topics such as the F2G2W supply chain overview and food safety would be made available within UMN Extension as well as other interested states. Materials will be presented at farm association meetings, namely the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Minnesota Organic Conference, Sustainable Farming Association, Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, and Marbleseed annual conferences. The project team will work with the Extension Small Farm Program (project team includes Ryan Pesch, a member of the Extension Small Farm Team) to incorporate materials into training for small and medium size farms. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, the project team plans to focus on: 1. Publish results from the economic feasibility analysis for each participating sector (grocers, wholesalers, and producers) in the F2G2W supply chain and disperse to communities. 2. Publish a factsheet of the other crops and farm products compatible with the F2G2W supply chain and implications for aggregation of crops and products to enter the F2G2W supply chain 3. Publish final report of research and data on the potential of creating a 'backhaul system' for farmers and for the supply chain. Extension Objectives 1. Coordinate F2G2W cross-docking (with our three farms and farm products already identified) with bidirectional distribution among multiple producers, rural grocery stores, wholesalers, and consumers at three test sites to support supply chain research. 2. Finalize curriculum and tools for farmers participating in the F2G2W supply chain and add a section in the 'wholesale readiness' specifically for backhauling food products as backhaul is highly specialized form of wholesale: 1. F2G2W supply chain curriculum will provide an overview of the model, the needed relationships and requirements to enter into the F2G2W supply chain 2. Coordinate production for wholesale training and materials for participating farmers 3. Develop and lead farm food safety curriculum, specific to F2G2W, to assist farmers in meeting wholesale food safety requirements, especially for high risk crops We are on track to meet these Extension and Research objectives during Year 3.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 1. Analyze the incentives and behaviors that lead to participation in the F2G2W supply chain 2. Conduct economic feasibility analysis for each participating sector (grocers, wholesalers, and producers) in the F2G2W supply chain 3. Develop and document working supply chains for multiple crops and farm products compatible with the F2G2W supply chain and implications for aggregation of crops and products to enter and travel through the F2G2W supply chain to the consumer EXTENSION OBJECTIVES 1. Coordinate F2G2W cross-docking and bidirectional distribution among multiple producers, rural grocery stores, wholesalers, and consumers at three test sites to support supply chain research 2. Develop curriculum and tools for farmers participating in the F2G2W supply chain: 1. F2G2W supply chain curriculum will provide an overview of the model, the needed relationships and requirements to enter into the F2G2W supply chain 2. Coordinate production for wholesale training and materials for participating farmers 3. Develop and lead farm food safety curriculum, specific to F2G2W, to assist farmers in meeting wholesale food safety requirements, especially for high risk crops 3. Disseminate research results and lessons learned through workshops, conferences, publication in peer reviewed journals, and the MISA Information Exchange What was accomplished under these goals? Research Objectives R1. Analyze the incentives and behaviors that lead to participation in the F2G2W supply chain R1.1 Major activities completed include: • In-depth interviews were conducted with all farmers who plan to backhaul their products through the bidirectional supply chain model. These farmers were identified as Bjorn Solberg of Hugh's Gardens, Noreen Thomas of Doubting Thomas Farm and Rick Dalen of Northern Harvest Farm. • Interview with wholesaler from Co-op Partners Warehouse to determine how a backhaul might look with their trucking logistics. Our Supply chain team expert Karen Donohue and her student intern Katie Myhre compiled our interviews and research of the F2G2W supply chain into a guide for future backhauls.? R1.2 Data collected: • Mixed method approach to data collection initiated • In-depth interviews with a partner, Bjorn Solberg, owner of Hugh's Gardens, provided financial data that will be used in the economic feasibility analysis. • Interviews with Noreen Thomas of Doubting Thomas farm as well as new partner, Rick Dalen of Northern Harvest Farm in Wrenshall, MN. • In-depth interview and tour of Co-op Parnter's Wharehouse and facilities to understand their experience with backhauling. We are currently working towards a backhaul • Reconnected with Les Olsen, garlic grower and are currently setting up a backhaul from his farm to grocery to Mason Brothers. R1.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results • Ongoing analysis is underway and is attached in our report from Katie Myhre. A1.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized in Katie's report. R2. Conduct economic feasibility analysis for each participating sector (grocers, wholesalers, and producers) in the F2G2W supply chain R2.1 Major activities completed include: • Work is currently underway on the economic feasibility for each participating sector. This was accomplished in Year 2 and will be finalized and be completed in early Year 3. R2.2 Data collected: R2.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results A1.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized This work has been compiled through Katie Myhre's attached progress reports and guidelines. It will be tested and finalized in Year 3. R3. Determine other crops and farm products compatible with the F2G2W supply chain and implications for aggregation of crops and products to enter the F2G2W supply chain. These crops are listed as those that store well including potatoes, cabbage, carrot, as well as oats and other grains. R3.1 Major activities completed include: • The project team reported on and analyzed crops and farm products that are compatible with the F2G2W supply chain. The project team saw that the logistics attributes (farm possibilities, farm location, ease of transfer) was a challenge and we came up with recommendations for farmers to get involved with a backhaul and what all it entails. Project team members are contributing their expertise to fill in this spreadsheet. * A factsheet has been created to communicate this information. Extension Objectives E1. Coordinate F2G2W cross-docking and bidirectional distribution among multiple producers, rural grocery stores, wholesalers, and consumers at three test sites to support supply chain research E1.1 Major activities completed include: • Work is currently underway on the economic feasibility for each participating sector. This will be completed in early Year 2. E1.2 Data collected: E1.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results E1.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized • Work is currently underway on setting up test sites. This will be completed in Year 2 and 3. E2. Developed curriculum and tools for farmers participating in the F2G2W supply chain through our Wholesale Readiness Training: 1. F2G2W supply chain curriculum provides an overview of the model, the needed relationships and requirements to enter into the F2G2W supply chain 2. Coordinates production for wholesale training and materials for participating farmers 3. Develop and lead farm food safety curriculum, specific to F2G2W, to assist farmers in meeting wholesale food safety requirements, especially for high risk crops E2.1 Major activities completed include: • The project team has conducted trainings on a "wholesale readiness" curriculum that includes education on the F2G2W supply chain and how to get ready for selling wholesale. Through additional funding secured through a Speciality Crop Block Grant, this partnership not only meets the objective of Extension Objective 2, but also creates a larger impact on small and medium size farmers in Minnesota. closely with another project at the University of Minnesota E2.2 Data collected from the Wholesale Readiness team E2.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results E2.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized * This will be completed in Year 2 and 3. E3. Disseminate research results and lessons learned through workshops, conferences, publication in peer reviewed journals, and the MISA Information Exchange * This will be completed in Year 3.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Myhre, Katie (2023). "Systematizing the Backhaul." Report and Recommendations on Supply Chain considerations for wholesalers.
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Progress 04/05/21 to 04/04/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The Farm to Grocery to Wholesale (F2G2W) Backhaul Project engaged target audiences during its first year. The target audience includes farmers,wholesalers, rural grocery stores, community development professionals, and consumers. Wholesale One of the goals for the F2G2W Backhaul project is to pilot and test a new model of distribution. A critical audience is the wholesale sector in Minnesota. To access this audience, the project team has expanded relationships with wholesalers. The wholesalers reached as part of the project target audience include Mason Brothers Wholesale, Russ Davis, and UNFI Supervalu. Under Extension objective 1, activity 2, the Extension team planned to develop a relationship with UNFI. During year 1, the team made progress on this activity. PI Kathy Dreager and project manager Ren Olive met with representatives from UNFI prior to the January 2022 project team meeting. The UNFI employee representatives attended the January team meeting and expressed their interest in further learning about the project and exploring ways their business could participate. Various feedback from the UNFI representatives aligned with the research conducted during the first phase of the project in 2018. Project team members analyzed the wholesale interview data from the first phase and compared it to feedback from the recent meeting with UNFI. Understanding the limitations and variables that might impact this supply chain is vital for the pilot phase of the project. Rural Grocers The project team continually connects with rural grocers through events, in person conversations, and through social media. From 2019-2020, the project team investigated grocery store willingness to participate in the F2G2W model, with the intention of strengthening the model and this proposed project. Conducted in partnership with the Minnesota Center for Survey Research, the mailed, 20 page 2019 Minnesota Rural Grocery Survey garnered a 55% response rate among the 250 rural grocery stores in Minnesota towns of populations less than 2,500. The survey gathered statewide information on rural grocer infrastructure, incentives, and associated behaviors to participate in the F2G2W supply chain. Results show that 32 stores are interested in serving as a cross-dock between wholesaler and farmer as part of the F2G2W model. The team has started to reach out to these stores to learn more about their interest and potential for partnership. Further outreach to this audience is planned for years 2 and 3. On March 10th and 11th, 2021, PI Kathy Draeger and project manager Ren Olive attended a grocery store trade show hosted by Mason Brothers Wholesale in Duluth, MN. Mason Brothers Wholesale provided project team members with a booth, where they were able to connect 1:1 with grocers. Farmers A major goal of the project is to test the F2G2W supply chain model in three different locations across the state of Minnesota. To do this, the project team needs established relationships with farmers who are interested in selling their crops into the wholesale market. During year 1, the project team established relationships with three different farmers who produce different specialty crops. The team plans to introduce the F2G2W supply chain model to other farmers, depending on the outcome of the three test sites. Broad Audience Reach Beyond the target audience (farmers, rural grocery stores, and wholesalers), the project also hopes to continue to connect with the general public. The project team utilizes Extension communication outlets, such as RSDP's social media. This allows the team to share progress and updates with a wider audience. Changes/Problems:We did not make any major changes on this project during Year 1. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Short updates have been shared via social media. Training materials developed and used for this project will be refined and expanded into outreach and education materials for producers and grocers. Materials will be compiled into workshops around specific topics such as the F2G2W supply chain overview and food safety would be made available within UMN Extension as well as other interested states. Materials will be presented at farm association meetings, namely the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Minnesota Organic Conference, Sustainable Farming Association, Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, and Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) annual conferences. The project team will work with the Extension Small Farm Program (project team includes Ryan Pesch, a member of the Extension Small Farm Team) to incorporate materials into training for small and medium size farms. F2G2W supply chain would be presented at the 2022 Rural Grocery Summit at Kansas State University and offered through webinars, including through NIFA, if appropriate. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, the project team plans to focus on: Research Objectives Finishing analysis of the incentives and behaviors that lead to participation in the F2G2W supply chain Publish results from the economic feasibility analysis for each participating sector (grocers, wholesalers, and producers) in the F2G2W supply chain Publish a factsheet of the other crops and farm products compatible with the F2G2W supply chain and implications for aggregation of crops and products to enter the F2G2W supply chain Extension Objectives Coordinate F2G2W cross-docking and bidirectional distribution among multiple producers, rural grocery stores, wholesalers, and consumers at three test sites to support supply chain research Develop curriculum and tools for farmers participating in the F2G2W supply chain: F2G2W supply chain curriculum will provide an overview of the model, the needed relationships and requirements to enter into the F2G2W supply chain Coordinate production for wholesale training and materials for participating farmers Develop and lead farm food safety curriculum, specific to F2G2W, to assist farmers in meeting wholesale food safety requirements, especially for high risk crops We are on track to meet these Extension and Research objectives during Year 2 and Year 3.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research Objectives R1. Analyze the incentives and behaviors that lead to participation in the F2G2W supply chain R1.1 Major activities completed include: In-depth interviews were conducted with two farmers who plan to backhaul their products through the bidirectional supply chain model. Interview with wholesaler UNFI to learn about the benefits and challenges of their participation in this model. The start of this relationship is critical for expansion of the Backhaul F2G2W model. Analysis of four in-depth interviews that were conducted during phase one of the project in 2019. The interviews included SuperValu (pre-acquisition with UNFI), Associated Wholesale Grocers, Russ Davis, and Mason Brothers. These interviews were analyzed for commonalities, outliers/variables, and informed the project team about behaviors and incentives that surround participation in the F2G2W supply chain. R1.2 Data collected: Mixed method approach to data collection initiated In-depth interviews with a prospective project partner, Bjorn Solberg, owner of Hugh's Gardens, provided financial data that will be used in the economic feasibility analysis. In-depth interview with Co-op Parnter's Wharehouse to understand their experience with backhauling. R1.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results Ongoing analysis is underway and will be completed in year 2. A1.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized *This outcome will be a focus in year two. R2. Conduct economic feasibility analysis for each participating sector (grocers, wholesalers, and producers) in the F2G2W supply chain R2.1 Major activities completed include: Work is currently underway on the economic feasibility for each participating sector. This will be completed in early Year 2. R2.2 Data collected: R2.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results A1.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized This will be completed in early Year 2 and Year 3. R3. Determine other crops and farm products compatible with the F2G2W supply chain and implications for aggregation of crops and products to enter the F2G2W supply chain R3.1 Major activities completed include: The project team analyzed other crops and farm products that are compatible with the F2G2W supply chain. This will be completed in early Year 2. The project team created a comprehensive spreadsheet that outlines the general product attributes (food safety risks/considerations, the harvest season, storage requirements), the market attributes (timeline for farmers to decide to sell into wholesale, wholesale competitiveness, demand and market research, pricing considerations), and the logistics attributes (farm possibilities, farm location, ease of transfer). Project team members are contributing their expertise to fill in this spreadsheet. * A factsheet will be created to communicate this information in year 2. Extension Objectives E1. Coordinate F2G2W cross-docking and bidirectional distribution among multiple producers, rural grocery stores, wholesalers, and consumers at three test sites to support supply chain research E1.1 Major activities completed include: Work is currently underway on the economic feasibility for each participating sector. This will be completed in early Year 2. E1.2 Data collected: E1.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results E1.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized Work is currently underway on setting up test sites. This will be completed in Year 2 and 3. E2. Develop curriculum and tools for farmers participating in the F2G2W supply chain: F2G2W supply chain curriculum will provide an overview of the model, the needed relationships and requirements to enter into the F2G2W supply chain Coordinate production for wholesale training and materials for participating farmers Develop and lead farm food safety curriculum, specific to F2G2W, to assist farmers in meeting wholesale food safety requirements, especially for high risk crops E2.1 Major activities completed include: The project team is working with partners on a "wholesale readiness" curriculum that will include education on the F2G2W supply chain. Through additional funding secured through a Speciality Crop Block Grant, this partnership will not only meet the objective of Extension Objective 2, but also create a larger impact on small and medium size farmers in Minnesota. closely with another project at the University of Minnesota E2.2 Data collected: E2.3 Summary statistics and discussion of results E2.4 Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized * This will be completed in Year 2 and 3. E3. Disseminate research results and lessons learned through workshops, conferences, publication in peer reviewed journals, and the MISA Information Exchange * This will be completed in Year 2 and 3.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Olive, R (2021). "Backhaul Project 2.0 Feature webinar as part of a Lunch n Learn, presented via Zoom. Dec 16, 2022.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Olive, R (2021). Intersections between sustainable agriculture and the Backhaul Project. Lecture for University of Minnesota graduate and undergraduate students of Sustainable Agriculture Colloquium AGRO4888/SAGR 80102021. November 18, 2021.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Olive, R (2021). Backhaul as a sustainable market access and transportation method. Lecture for University of Minnesota Morris Industrial Economics Course. November 9, 2021.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Draeger, K and Olive, R (2022). Upcoming conference at the National Rural Grocery Initiative Summit. Wichita, Kansas. June 20, 2022.
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