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Linking farmers with institutions

LINKING FARMERS WITH INSTITUTIONS

The Chesapeake Farm to Institution Value Chain Coordination Project prepares both institutions and farmers to commit to larger local food sales transactions, leveraging important federal farm-to-school funding, and complying with state legislation on local food. It addresses the challenges institutions have in transacting with small family farms and prepares farmers to work within state institutions and public school procurement processes.

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We develop strategies to expand local food in institutions such as state agencies, four-year public universities, correctional facilities and K through 12 schools; we identify and support farmers interested in working in those markets; we help create individual institutional demand plans, and coordinate farmers’ sales to meet those plans, identifying the best logistics for them, leading to purchasing commitments. We engage key partners in the supply chain: County and State offices of Agriculture, Food Councils, food processors, and distributors.

CAIC is currently hiring for a full time Value Chain Coordination Administrator position.
If interested, contact Alice at [email protected]

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

If you are a procurement officer or food service director:

  • Understanding your barriers and challenges to buying local; we can help you overcome your specific challenges with a customized demand plan
  • Tactics to integrate local products more easily into your food supply chain
  • Identifying the logistics and timeframes that work best for deliveries

If you are a farmer, fisherman, or local value-added producer interested in wholesale sales:

  • We provide market access for wholesale – we open doors for farmers by educating purchasing officers on local products and local farms
  • We connect you to technical assistance to help respond to solicitations, provide input on crop plans, meet subject matter experts on food safety and wholesale packing, and connect to logistics providers (transportation or cold storage

If you are interested in more information about the resources available, fill this 4 question form for us to work for you:

Make a 15 minute appointment here to go over your needs
Make a 15 minute appointment here to go over your needs
Make a 15 minute appointment here to go over your needs

MINI-GRANTs

Mini-Grants up to $5,000 are available for:
– Market Research and Validation of Target Market
– Customer Acquisition
– Product Development Initiatives
– Food Safety Classes
Eligibility
Value-added producers and companies with traction ($20,000 or more in yearly revenue) in Maryland and Delaware are eligible to apply for Mini-Grants. Participants may apply once for each of the categories. Applicants must demonstrate that they have a unique and differentiated product or service that incorporates an aspect of innovation or technology in its production, processing, distribution, or other element of the food supply system.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Award decisions will be made and funds will be available no later than three weeks following the receipt of a completed application.
Application Process
Applicants must submit Mini-Grant proposals by filling out the form at this link. Copy(ies) of quote(s), proposal(s), estimate(s), or any other supporting documents.

MINI GRANT APPLICATION

ACCESS TO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS (SMES)

CAIC offers access to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who can offer authoritative advice based on their deep knowledge and experience in a specific area. See the ADVISORS page of this Web site to learn more about the SMEs who are available to CAIC participants.

Register For The CAIC