Grocers Buy Local campaign kicks off in region

There’s good news for the increasing number of consumers looking to buy local foods: A group of Wisconsin organizations have started matching local grocery stores with more than 50 local farmers and food companies and launch a new Grocers Buy Local campaign.

In mid-September the initiative launched publicly at Miller & Sons Supermarket in Verona, and the event was the first in a series of events taking place this fall in participating grocery stores around southern Wisconsin. The first event featured a total of 50 local foods produced in Wisconsin, using special signage and information.

“Miller & Sons was proud to host the official launch of this statewide program,” says owner Carl Miler. “As an independent local business, we are always happy to support Wisconsin farms and food processors, and our customers appreciate it, too.”

“Grocers Buy Local” is a consortium of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Wisconsin Grocers Association, Thrive and UW-Extension. The program aims to increase the visibility of local foods by revitalizing the state’s Something Special from Wisconsin trademark program. The initiative promotes food products from across the state, and is being implemented on a pilot basis in groceries in the eight-county region of south central Wisconsin.

A 2008 report by the Hartman Group reveals 77 percent of consumers are looking to buy local food. More than 50 percent of every consumer’s food dollar is spent eating at home, and most of that food is purchased in traditional grocery stores.

“Grocery consumers need a fast and easy way to identify local foods,” says Lois Federman, director of the state’s Something Special from Wisconsin program. “Grocery mangers need a simple, cost-effective way to promote local foods. That’s why we partnered with key players and developed the Grocers Buy Local campaign. It brings the whole picture together — consumers, producers, distributors and grocery stores. It’s a win-win-win,”

Greg Lawless, director of Agricultural Initiatives at Thrive, agrees. “More local food purchases made locally means more money circulating in our regional economy,” he says. “We are thrilled Miller & Sons has stepped up to be our first local grocery store to show its strong support for local farmers by purchasing local foods directly from the source.”

Customers who purchased 10 or more Something Special from Wisconsin local products at Miller & Sons during the Sept. 19 promotion were eligible to win a $200 grocery gift certificate and also had the opportunity to sample local foods and personally meet the producers

“We very much appreciate this opportunity to sample our product and meet our local customers,” said James Baerwolf, owner of Sassy Cow Creamery, which produces and distributes farmstead bottled milk and ice cream to stores across Wisconsin. “We’re hopeful more local grocery stores will join in the effort to offer and promote fresh, local foods produced right here in their backyard.”

MOVERS

>> Anthony E. Caruso, CPA and Jennifer R. Fleck, CPA have been promoted to managers in the assurance services department at the Middleton office of Clifton Gunderson. The firm’s Tomah office has promoted Toni Henry to senior accountant in the entrepreneurial business services department, and Brendan Rouzer to manager in the assurance department.

>> Lindsay, Stone & Briggs has hired Mike Thomas as an art director.

>> Vic Grassman is the new director of economic development for Janesville.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

ARCADIA: Supreme Graphics has been awarded a 2009 Premier Print Award for outstanding achievement in print production. The graphic arts industry’s largest and most prestigious worldwide printing competition, the Premier Print Awards recognizes those responsible for the creation and production of outstanding print communications. Supreme Graphics won a Certificate of Merit for their entry.

BEAVER DAM: Silverstone Partners Inc. will receive a $280,000 Blight Elimination and Brownfield Redevelopment grant from the Department of Commerce to help redevelop a contaminated and underutilized property in Dodge County.  The firm plans to construct a 62-unit apartment building at the site of the former Thomas Chevrolet dealership. The total project cost is $7.8 million.

MADISON: Semba Biosciences has received a $250,000 Technology Venture Fund loan from the Department of Commerce for quipment and working capital to expand its capabilities into additional product lines and international distribution.