I found this on another listserve. Since I know of Dennis and his work
I thought it would be appropriate for a wider audience for
help/support. Please email him directly if you can help him in any way.
Thank You,
Lynn Knight
Ag. Economist
USDA NRCS
69 Union Street
Winooski, VT 05404
lknight@vt.nrcs.usda.gov
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Date: Fri, 28 Aug 98 14:19 CDT
From: Dennis L Borchardt <dborchardt@vt.nrcs.usda.gov>
To: lgk@vt.nrcs.usda.gov
Subject: Grower's Cooperative
X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas
The George D. Aiken RC&D Council in Vermont is assisting a "Grower's
Cooperative Marketing System (TM)" in Vermont. The mission of the
Grower's Cooperative Marketing System (GCMS) is to provide a link
between Vermont and New England Organic Produce and Natural Meat growers
with Northeast US professional and home chefs. Primary target customers
are Gourmet/Organic/Kosher/Ethnic Restaurants in New York, Boston and
outlying regions; chefs who are members of or selecting menu items under
the principles of "sustainable cuisine". It is our goal to ship only
the freshest and finest quality.
Commodities purchased and distributed will include: Certified Organic
Herbs; seasonal Organic and wild produce; USDA Certified Natural (no
antibiotics/no hormones) Meats, including: Lamb, Beef, Pork, Venison,
Rabbit, Game Birds; Organic wines; speciality and farmstead cheeses, and
other natural gourmet foods produced either within the region or, as
requested by our customers, from the extended network of emerging
organic growers. GCMS proposes to operate a processing facility for
cutting and packaging of meats, and one for processing produce; these
may be under one roof, but discretely organized to fulfill regulatory
and food-safety requirements. GCMS targets total annual sales of $7-10M
in five years.
We are investigating any existing models of successful "small-farm to
market links" such as this proposed project. Production issues
include: securing adequate capital for marketing organization and for
producers to expand their operations, dedication to securing supply from
withinthe region rather than "anywhere it's available"; how best to
organize a cooperative with an investment of private, outside capital,
or what would be the logical alternative? Any comments or suggestions
welcomed.
If anyone has ideas or models to consider please contact me. Thanks for
all the help.
Dennis L. Borchardt, Executive Director
George D. Aiken RC&D Council
HC67, Box 17A
Randolph, VT 05060
(802) 728-9526
Fax (802) 729-5951
email: dborchardt@vt.nrcs.usda.gov
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