One thing we have learned during this pandemic, is how volatile the world’s distribution systems are. Everything from food, paper goods, down to the supplies our manufacturer’s need to stay in production. Food is the basic need of life. Food systems effect all communities large and small – metro to rural. In this hour-and-a-half interactive session, EDCC’s guest experts addressed the pandemic’s effects on our nation’s food systems, its impact on Colorado, as well as techniques and resources available. Attendees breakout into their perspective regions – hosted by CO’s regional food systems representatives – to discuss ways to advance sustainable agricultural practices across production, processing, and supply chains, while enhancing food security in our communities.

Guest Experts:
Betsy Markey, Executive Director, Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT)
Allison Rowland, Research & Technical Assistance Manager, Council of Development Finance Agency (CDFA)
Toby Rittner, President & CEO, Council of Development Finance Agency (CDFA)
Blake Angelo, Advisory Council Director, Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council (COFSAC)

Breakout Leads:
(NW) Michelle Meyer, Executive Director, Community Agriculture Alliance
(SW) Dawn Thilmany, Extension Specialist – Agribusiness, CSU Extension
(SE) Liza Marron, Director, San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition
(SE) Mike Bartolo, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture – CSU Extension
(NE) Keith Maxey, County Director – Livestock, CSU Extension
(Metro) Matt Berry, National Western Center

REGIONAL BREAKOUT OUTCOMES 

SOUTHWEST
Opportunities:
How do we begin a regional collaboration and future discussions around food systems and economic development opportunities?
How do we fund critical infrastructure projects that are vital to a robust food system including cold storage facilities?
How do we get public buy-in once we build out the necessary infrastructure support?

SOUTHEAST
Strengths:
The South and Southeast Colorado has a rich history and culture with vegetables and feed lots.
EDU Institutional knowledge and AG Extension Offices.
Rich heritage of generational farmers who are passionate in what they do and continuing the tradition.
Wide breath of natural resources to sustain agricultural sectors.

Weaknesses:
Water resource sustainability; how to achieve means of replenishing or sharing reservoirs.

Opportunities:
What can we do with idle buildings within in our rural communities that can incorporate needed infrastructure to support food systems i.e. cold storage, fresh canning operations, or distribution.
Looking at ways to revitalize urban areas with agricultural access.
How can we take advantage of Opportunity Zones as to meet to the criteria of the investment.
Looking at water as if it were a crop. How do we create a collaborative to bring water access to more areas of our state?

METRO
Strengths:
We do have a strong food system within the Metro area, although it could be stronger.
The metro area has access to different parts of the food system supply chain, more than other areas of the state.
Proximity to an international airport, rail and highway systems allows for large scale distribution models.
Overall, the metro area has a strong support system for small businesses.

Weaknesses:
Gaps include food deserts which create inequity to our citizens.
Connecting to our rural communities.
The cost of moving product on our current highway system.

Opportunities:
Resources needed to support a robust food system include access to distribution, cold storage, regional food hubs; incubators and commissary kitchens; create stronger regional collaborations.
We need to begin looking at food systems as an economic development strategy.
Is there a regional food system plan?

NORTHWEST
Opportunities:
Grant funding to support 1) marketing local food to residents, 2) infrastructure such as cold storage for meat and other goods.
The development of local or regional transportation links to aid delivery of products.
A West Slope meeting of all food hubs to exchange ideas.

NORTHEAST
Strengths:
The northeast has significant infrastructure that is already build around food production and processing. Food processing is diverse.

Weaknesses:
The northeast has several large scale processing plants which is a strength and a weakness. The weakness being that it overshadows niche producers and markets.
Access to markets.

Opportunities:
The need to support small to mid-sized producers and processors to help fill short line gaps especially when shut down occurs to large producers/processors.
Create access to markets for small to mid-sized producers/processors
Create channels for distribution that are not already there. Currently, we have distributors needing to move product and are unable to due to system backup
Finding willing partners to help find opportunities within the food system and fill in the gaps

You may also like the following:
Presentation by Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA)
Presentation by Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council (COFSAC)
Video recording from the Virtual Series