Food Alliance Midwest

Working Together

Food Alliance Midwest is a coalition of farmers, processors, distributors, grocers and consumers in the Midwest working together to promote sustainable farming. Funded by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, with additional funding from The Bush Foundation, The McKnight Foundation , Otto Bremer Foundation, and The Carolyn Foundation, the program is a joint project of the Minnesota-based Land Stewardship Project (LSP), and Wisconsin-based Cooperative Development Services (CDS).

Founded in 1998, the Food Alliance Midwest modeled its program on one initiated in the Pacific Northwest by the Oregon-based Food Alliance. In July, 2000, Food Alliance and the Midwest Food Alliance forged an alliance to work together in promoting regionally produced foods, and as the program is developed and expands, they plan to partner on a national campaign. Both programs are supported by the Kellogg Foundation’s Food and Society Initiative, to achieve farming and distribution systems that will affect policy changes resulting in more sustainable food models for the United States.

Guiding Principles

Being a Food Alliance certified™ Midwest Grown farmer means your products are distributed by participating stores, and carry the Food Alliance certified™ Midwest Grown seal, letting consumers know you farm sustainably and locally. The program has established a set of guiding principles that participating farmers must agree to follow. After submitting an extensive “whole-farm” application, the growers must pass a rigorous inspection by third-party inspectors, based on a set of standards. Food Alliance Midwest farmers are also required to submit farm improvement plans. Because making the transition to sustainable farming is a process, these plans help them make improvements in a series of small, realistic steps.

Food Alliance certified™ Midwest Grown farmers and ranchers must:

• Provide safe and fair working conditions
• Provide healthy and humane treatment of animals
• Raise animals without synthetic hormones and non-therapeutic antibiotics
• Raise crops without genetically modified organisms
• Reduce pesticides usage and toxicity
• Conserve soil and water resources
• Preserve and protect wildlife habitat
• Commit to continuous improvement of these sustainable practices


For example, Food Alliance certified™ Midwest Grown farmers employ integrated pest management principles such as the use of biological controls, cover crops, and companion plantings to attract beneficial insects. They may also incorporate sustainable agriculture practices such as the use of buffer strips, careful irrigation management and erosion control. In addition, participants must demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe and fair work environment and including workers in farm management decisions.

The Farmer-Consumer Connection

Food Alliance Midwest has conducted a great deal of independent research including:

* initiating consumer focus groups,
* surveying farmers, and
* interviewing retailers.

“Research has been critical to our development,” says Jim Ennis, Midwest program director, “and we have learned that consumers, as well as farmers, are concerned about the land and the environment. And many consumers have indicated that they would be willing to pay a little more for products that are raised locally and sustainably.”

Expanding the number of participating stores from 8 to 13, this year’s program will take place in Kowalski’s, Mississippi Markets, Hy-Vee in Rochester, and Coborn’s in St. Cloud. Products being offered include sustainably grown apples, beef, beets, blueberries, butter, cabbage, cucumbers, green beans, pork, pumpkins, radishes, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, and specialty cheeses.

“The increase in products this year is very exciting,” says Ennis. “Farmers have been looking for ways to get their products to market and our research shows that consumers and grocers are interested in supporting local farmers and environmentally-sound products. That’s where the Food Alliance Midwest comes in - bringing together farmers, grocers and consumers.”

Earth-friendly Farming

Point-of-sale materials including identifying signs, banners and Food Alliance certified™ Midwest Grown stickers help consumers identify products which have all been third-party inspected and approved. Recipe cards and free food tastings will be offered by participating stores so consumers can try the products. Food Alliance Midwest is also producing brochures that consumers can take home to learn more about sustainable agriculture.

“This program offers us a great opportunity to get our products in front of consumers who may not have tried them before,” says Food Alliance certified™ Midwest Grown farmer Leslie Axdahl of Axdahl’s Farm in Stillwater, Minnesota. “People appreciate knowing where their food comes from. When we use earth-friendly farming methods, and people support our efforts by buying locally, everyone wins.”