Locally Grown is a comprehensive program to help develop a sustainable local food system. Locally Grown provides an approach to target all levels of the local food system network by creating learning opportunities and increasing availability of locally grown products for consumers. The project creates awareness and understanding between farmers and consumers resulting in a more sustainable food system.

Educational Outcomes:

• Increase awareness of all participants of the importance of a sustainable local food system.

• Increase consumer awareness of the benefits of buying local food and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables.

• Build relationships between farmers and consumers leading to increased understanding of the growing methods and increased purchasing of local products.

• Increase farmers understanding of marketing leading to increased sales and economic sustainability.

Program Efforts Include:

Farmers Market We work to help establish and promote farmers markets in the area. We also provide educational opportunities for youth and adults at the Farmers Market.

Locally Grown Dinner We organized an evening of great local food and entertainment to increase awareness of the importance of buying local and a fundraiser for the FoodFest

Locally Grown Kids is designed to improve the nutritional health of school-age children by helping them identify where their food comes from; improve their nutritional habits; and learn how to grow fresh fruits and vegetables.

Community Garden The goals of the garden are to provide access to garden space, educate people about gardening, improve nutrition, increase access to fresh low-cost produce, build bridges between neighbors and communities, and generally make Quincy cleaner and greener. The garden also promotes good natural resource management as it pertains to gardening. We encourage conserving water, recycling garden waste, and implement sustainable and environmentally safe pest control practices in the garden.

Educational opportunities for farmers include growing and marketing workshops and one to one consulting.

Local Food Policy Council We are organizing a regional food policy council that will consist of local stakeholders who will review our local food system and make recommendations to policy makers.

Locally Grown FoodFest is an annual festival held the first Saturday in August to celebrate local food, increase awareness and build relationships between farmers and consumers.

Newsletter, website and more... A Locally Grown newsletter is written and sent out twice a year that includes a feature on a local farmer, information on why to buy local, and more.

Our Program Partners:

Local farmers, Western Illinois Sustainable Ag Society, Quincy Park District, Quincy Farmers Market, University of Missouri Extension, WGEM – TV, WQUB – public radio, IL SARE, Two Rivers RC&D, IL Dept of Ag , Great River Economic Development Foundation, County Market, Quincy Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Historic Quincy Business District, John Wood Community College and IL Institute for Rural Affairs at WIU.