4 minute read
Welcoming Global Guests to the Local Farm Table
Welcoming Global Guests to the Local Farm Table
By Mattie Lieb & Stephen Sostaric
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is no stranger to hosting trade teams from all over the world. Even in this age of easy virtual connectivity shrinking the global marketplace, it’s hard to top the importance of meeting face-to-face. Being on the farm or sharing a meal inspires conversation and provides great opportunities to learn and see how Illinois soybeans are produced before they are exported to help feed the world.
On June 26, ISA, Specialty Soya Grains Alliance (SSGA), and World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) hosted trade teams from Myanmar and Cambodia for a “Fork to Farm” event.
Attendance included representatives from each aspect of the soybean supply chain, from farmers to soy customers, exporters and everyone in between.
The buyers began their journey at the ISA Bloomington office for a briefing from ISA’s Market Development and Soybean Production teams. Representatives from SSGA, including Executive Director, Eric Wenberg and Manager of Strategic Programs, Shane Frederick, gave presentations describing the importance of specialty food-grade soybeans that are grown locally.
Following presentations, lunch was provided by Phoenix Bean, a premier supplier of tofu to the Chicagoland area who prides themselves on their plant-based protein sourced and produced right here in Illinois. Owner of Phoenix Bean, Jenny Yang, joined in the conversation to offer her unique experience with the purchase of soybeans from Illinois farmers, and the processing of soybeans into food products. The products showcased the flexibility of soy and the dishes included family recipes as well as Phoenix Bean’s top sellers.
As attendees enjoyed their protein packed soy lunches, Drew Whalen, Senior Merchandiser for Clarkson Grain, highlighted the importance of Identity-Preserved food ingredients when ensuring the quality and safety of soy food products. With Identity-Preserved soybeans can be traced from the grocery store shelves to the farmer who grew the product, ensuring product quality and safety.
ISA At-Large Board Director, Jeff O’Connor, was one of the farmer participants. “Having taken part in a couple of farm to fork events in the past, I was interested in participating in a reverse Fork to Farm event,” said O’Connor. “Listening to SSGA engage in a conversation showing how Identity-Preserved soy can be used from farm to buyer opened up a pathway that I thought wasn’t available yet. This type of transparency between farmer and buyer only strengthens the fork to farm relationship.”
For their last stop, ISA coordinated a visit to ISA District 7 Director Bryan Severs’ Vermillion County farm. Severs welcomed the group and showed the buyers how his farm produces the specialty soybeans they are looking to buy. “It was an awesome opportunity to be able to host international buyers for the first time,” said Severs. “They were anxious to learn about our farm, technology, and stewardship practices that go into producing the products they want.” In addition to seeing the equipment and technology that makes it possible to produce the soybeans efficiently, it also gave the buyers an appreciation of the scale of an Illinois farm.
Severs takes pride in knowing he is producing a high-quality, food grade product that end users, like Jenny Yang, are happy with. “Seeing their faces when they saw beans in the grain bin was a great moment. They were able to actually touch the product and see one of the first steps in the soybeans’ journey to their plates,” said Severs.
The Fork to Farm event was a unique opportunity to connect people along the entire soybean supply chain to discuss and answer questions from foreign buyers. “It’s always a great opportunity to host Illinois soy buyers and show them the behind-the-scenes process of the specialty soybean supply chain,” says ISA International Markets Manager, Eileen Urish. Events like this strengthen relationships with international soy buyers and increases the value of soybeans from Illinois around the world.
