Willamette Food Processors Consortia

Comment by William Ray Ford on November 28, 2010 at 6:31pm

The mid valley region has a USDA grant this year to establish a Willamette Food Processors Consortia. I thought it might be helpful to create a specific group on WiN to help stimulate thoughts and share ideas about all aspects of food, not only processing it but also growing it etc. Bruce Hecht is in charge of the Food Boot Camp this year and I expect he will be posting on here and other sites to get the word out on his offerings later in 2011.

Comment by William Ray Ford on November 28, 2010 at 6:37pm

The Council of Governments over in Albany is the coordinator of the grant and all the collaborators have specific portions to administer and conduct in order to achieve the desired results. The BEC has prepared a survey that they are in the process of sending out to gather information about the needs and barriers to market entry. The Corvallis-Benton Chamber also has several areas of concentration and working with Natural Step they will conduct a food boot camp. I will try to break out the timeline of activities and post them on this site until the official web site takes shape. Stay tuned and talk this up and invite other folks interested in the "Grow Local" "Process Local" "Distribute Local" "Buy Local" and "Thrive Local" movement

Comment by William Ray Ford on November 29, 2010 at 11:50am

Just had a chance to meet with Will Summers and explain our needs for food processing identification in rural Linn County. Great guy and super supportive of local job analysis and creation. Thanks Will.

Comment by William Ray Ford on November 29, 2010 at 7:46pm

Wondering how long it will take for some of our foodies to find this new group and join! Come on folks, I am hanging out here alone. How we going to have a group discussion with no group? I even sent out some invites but alas, not sign ups yet! Be the first to join and you will get a short ride in my Studebaker! 2nd to sign up gets a longer ride and 3rd has to go at least 10 miles! smile

Comment by Robin Christine on November 30, 2010 at 12:05pm

Exciting that the mid-valley has this opportunity--I look forward to seeing what the grant achieves!

Comment by William Ray Ford on February 3, 2011 at 7:38pm

How is the Food Boot Camp progressing?

Comment by Eric B. Miller on February 16, 2011 at 12:05pm

 

As a 2010 graduate of the food business boot camp, I'm glad to see the continued energy behind local food processing.

It's an exciting time for food in the Willamette Valley!

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