Farmers are you looking to “grow” your markets or have invested in new markets recently?

 

We at the Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University are seeking farmers like yourselves to help us learn what is needed to assist you in the next steps to sell to institutions such as hospitals, childcare centers, food hubs or regional distributers.  If you have already sold to institutions, we are interested in learning about the opportunities and challenges that you faced.  If you are interested, but have not yet successfully sold to institutions, we are very interested in learning what you found as the opportunities and barriers. 

 

Our team would like to invite you to a focus group discussion with other farmers to share with us:

 

·      How (if at all) you have managed to sell to  institutions?

·      What are the opportunities that Farm to Institution markets represent?

·      What are the challenges and difficulties in selling to institutions?

·      What are some tools or information that could help you improve or expand your sales to institutions?  

 

 

We want to hear from YOU so we can do a better job assisting you to engage in new market types!

 

If you are interested in participating in a focus group, we ask you to contact us by replying with your NAME, CONTACT INFORMATION AND WHAT YOU PRODUCE to Dr. Stephen Gasteyer, Department of Sociology at Michigan State University [log in to unmask] or 517-355-3505. Dr. Gasteyer will be leading the team to develop a few questions to start the conversation during these focus group sessions with you. The session will last approximately 1.5 hours and be held at times and locations that are convenient for you.

 

These focus groups are open to any Michigan farmer selling to any market-type. We ask the farmers that are interested in participating are currently selling OR are interested in selling to hospitals, other institutions, or food hubs. Please note that all participants will be provided with compensation for their mileage and time. 

You are also invited to contact us for additional information or clarification.

 

Thank you for your time and participation in advance!