STRATEGIC PLAN
TWO-YEAR PLAN Fiscal Years 2015-2016
RELEASED OCTOBER 2014
Farm to Institution New England FINE c/o Franklin County CDC 324 Wells Street Greenfield, MA 01301 www.farmtoinstitution.org tel: 802.291.2019 email: info@farmtoinstitution.org
This strategic plan has been developed by the leadership team and staff of Farm to Institution New England in collaboration with program officers from our funders— The John Merck Fund, Henry P. Kendall Foundation, Jane’s Trust and anonymous donors—and with assistance from New Directions Collaborative and Yellow Wood Associates, to provide a considered approach to the operation of FINE over the next two years.
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Background Statement Farm to Institution New England (FINE) was launched in 2010 as a joint initiative of the Regional Steering Committee of the National Farm to School Network and a collaboration of New England agricultural commissioners. Since inception, FINE has focused on developing cross-sector connections between K-12 schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and other institutions. Today, FINE serves those at the forefront of the farm to institution (FTI) movement in the region, providing a forum to connect and share ideas, models, resources and support. FINE has led projects related to key issues that have been identified by FTI leaders, including Farm to College, Beef to Institution, Distribution Research, Processing Community of Practice, and Supply Chain Analysis. FINE acts as the backbone organization for FTI in the region, building the network, convening stakeholders, developing and disseminating tools and resources, and communicating with key external audiences. FINE is governed by a leadership team composed of FTI leaders in New England who represent K-12, college, and hospital sectors and cross-cutting topic areas such as processing and policy. FINE staffers provide network backbone functions, including project management, research, evaluation, communications and development work. FINE has received financial support from the United States Department of Agriculture, The John Merck Fund, Henry P. Kendall Foundation, Jane’s Trust and anonymous donors. The Franklin County CDC in Greenfield, Massachusetts, acts as FINE’s fiscal sponsor.
Who We Are Farm to Institution New England (FINE) is a six-state network of non-profit, public and private entities working collaboratively to achieve our mission.
Vision All New England institutions preferentially purchase regionally produced food.
Mission To strengthen our food system by increasing the amount of New England-grown and processed food served in our region’s schools, hospitals, colleges and other institutions.
Values We aim to increase demand for and procurement of New England-produced food by our region’s institutions, leading to more viable food and farm enterprises, good jobs and a strong agricultural economy in New England. We work to support a robust regional supply chain infrastructure and consistent access to affordable, healthy regionally grown foods for institutional consumers.
Definitions By regionally grown, we mean food that is grown, raised or harvested in New England, which may include food that is also lightly processed in the region. Stakeholder refers to an individual or organization who works in the FTI supply chain and/or influences it. Partners are stakeholders who collaborate with FINE projects or participate in network activities.
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Strategies #1: Build Our Network & Convene Stakeholders FINE has been effective in convening farm to institution stakeholders through various formats in order to promote connections across the region. FINE has brought an important cross-sector regional perspective through participating in partner events and by hosting FINE forums and workshops. In FY 2015-2016, FINE plans to build on this success and expand its efforts in this area. We will build our network and convene stakeholders by conducting the following activities: 1. Engage FINE stakeholders in our activities 2. Facilitate inclusion of regional and cross-sector FTI topics in partner events 3. Host convenings for the following workgroups: Farm to College, Processing Community of Practice, Supply Chain and FTI Metrics 4. Co-facilitate Harvest New England/FINE planning group meetings to explore the value and feasibility of regional branding 5. Organize the first New England Regional Farm to Institution Summit (FY 2015) 6. Promote and host FTI webinars on key topics identified by partners 7. Support the development and enrichment of state-level FTI groups in all six states
#2: Create Tools & Disseminate Resources FINE has developed and curated a set of practical and accessible tools for farm to institution stakeholders including research-based reports, case studies and a regular e-newsletter. In FY 2015-2016, FINE plans to expand the breadth and depth of its efforts in this area, both in terms of collecting and curating partner materials and in filling any notable gaps. We will create and/or disseminate the following tools and resources: 1.
2. 3. 4. 5.
Develop and promote use of a substantial New England FTI database of partners, institutions, initiatives and other data useful to the full spectrum of stakeholders, in collaboration with the New England Food Knowledge Ecosystem (NEFKE) of the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Develop and promote use of shared metrics for FTI in New England Compile and disseminate a set of cross-sector FTI case studies Develop best and promising practice guides on key topics including contracting and implementation of regionally grown food procurement strategies Support and share the development of emerging and innovative FTI practices
#3: Communicate & Coordinate with Key Audiences FINE provides forums for communication among a wide array of stakeholders including supply chain facilitators and key players in farm to institution (FTI) sectors. FINE also works to inform key federal, regional and state policy makers about the potential impact of FTI efforts and the barriers and opportunities faced in the FTI supply chain. In FY 2015-2016, FINE plans to continue and deepen this aspect of its work. We will communicate and coordinate with key audiences to increase awareness, commitment and capacity of stakeholders by conducting the following activities:
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1. Publish FINE newsletters 2. Collaboratively develop and communicate policy positions on FTI issues at the state and federal level 3. Meet with federal, regional and state policy makers to educate them on key FTI issues 4. Facilitate relationships with institutions, food service management companies and distributors to assist them with developing and implementing contract provisions requiring regionally grown food procurement 5. Engage with state economic development and food system planning processes to advocate for the inclusion of FTI strategies
#4: Provide Backbone Functions FINE’s work as the backbone organization for the farm to institution movement in New England includes coordination, planning, communications, development and evaluation. This work will be led by FINE staff with support from the leadership team as well as workgroup and project leads. Franklin County CDC acts as FINE’s fiscal sponsor. We will provide the following backbone functions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Create annual FINE Work Plan as well as annual work plans for the FINE leadership team, staff, workgroup and project leads Define network structure and increase network participation Create annual development plan, diversify funding sources and maintain adequate funding for FINE operations Ensure accurate and timely fiscal management and reporting Implement and evaluate FINE programs and projects Conduct research on emerging FTI issues and strategies such as regional branding, innovation funds, procurement policy and farmer wholesale readiness to guide future FINE and partner action
Conclusion By implementing this strategic plan, FINE will increase the number of New England schools, hospitals, colleges and other institutions preferentially purchasing regionally grown food during fiscal years 2015 and 2016, thus strengthening the region’s food system. This work will lead to more viable food and farm enterprises, good jobs and a strong agricultural economy in New England. The resulting robust regional supply chain infrastructure will provide institutional consumers with more consistent access to affordable, healthy regionally grown foods. Innovative and successful work in each state and across the region has fostered conditions leading to increased awareness and capacity of supply chain stakeholders in all FTI sectors. These conditions have also created opportunities for FINE to improve federal and state policy environments for FTI success. FINE is fortunate to have support from funders and partners in order to meet its goals, and is looking forward to involving a growing base of collaborators in its work over the next two years. Please share your thoughts about this strategic plan or other ideas related to FINE’s work by contacting Network Director Peter Allison at peter@farmtoinsitution.org. For more information about Farm to Institution New England, visit us at www.farmtoinstitution.org.
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