food system, Good Food Network - Lake Superior Superior Compact

The Superior Compact Purchasing Commitment

20% by 2020
Across the nation individuals and communities have recognized the importance of supporting regional food systems. Yet, without any measurable goals or benchmarks the potential of this citizen and community led movement is diminished. To that end, food policy councils and regional food networks have developed local and regional purchasing goals so as to help drive investments in the local food economy and to highlight regional leadership. Moreover, sustainable food purchasing metrics and benchmarks have been developed for healthcare, restaurants, higher education and are in use by institutions across the country.

The Superior Compact purchasing commitment is consistent with these tools and is an important component of an evolving Lake Superior Good Food toolbox to help us develop our regional food economy.

Download (pdf)the Superior Compact or endorse electronically.

Can we grow enough food in our region?

We know from a University of Minnesota study that we have the agricultural potential to feed our region a healthy diet. Moreover, that a shift to a 100% local diet will bring one billion dollars into our economy. A 20% local purchasing goal is a good starting point a follows regional purchasing commitments from across the country.

How Can I support the Superior Compact?

If your organization purchases food you can ask decision makers to sign the Compact. Alternatively, you can ask your favorite restaurant, hospital, school, university or college or any other large food purchased to support the Compact.

What is the difference between the Lake Superior Good Food Charter and the Superior Compact, can we support both?

The Good Food Charter is an aspirational charter that connects the various attributes of good food and shares a vision of what a local, healthy food system might look like. The health of our food system impacts all citizens and the organizations in which they belong or work. The Charter can be signed by an organization (or individual for that matter) whether they purchase food, or not.

The Superior Compact is a purchasing commitment geared at those entities which purchase food. Because their purchasing power is an important economic driver to our regional food system, we need their purchasing dollars to help drive the development of regional infrastructure.

The Superior Compact Purchasing Commitment

Across the nation individuals and communities have recognized the importance of supporting regional food systems. Yet, without any measureable goals or benchmarks the potential of this citizen and community led movement is diminished. To that end, food policy councils and regional food networks have developed local and regional purchasing goals so as to help drive investments in the local food economy and to highlight regional leadership. Moreover, sustainable food purchaing metrics and benchmarks have been developed for healthcare, restaurants, higher education and are in use by institutions across the country. The Superior Compact purchasing commitment is consistent with these tools and is an important component of an evolving Lake Supeior Good Food toolbox.

Download (pdf) the Superior Compact or endorse electronically.

How Can I support the Superior Compact?

If your organization purchases food you can ask decision makers to sign the Compact. Alternatively, you can ask your favorite restaurant, hospital, school, university or college or any other large food purchased to support the Compact.

What is the difference between the Lake Superior Good Food Charter and the Superior Compact, can we support both?

The Good Food Charter is an aspirational charter that connects the various attributes of good food and shares a vision of what a local, healthy food system might look like. The health of our food system impacts all citizens and the organizations in which they belong or work. The Charter can be signed by an organization (or individual for that matter) whether they purchase food, or not.

The Superior Compact is a purchasing commitment geared at those entities which purchase food. Because their purchasing power is an important economic driver to our regional food system, we need their purchasing dollars to help drive the development of regional infrastructure.

Superior Compact Purchasing Committment

WHEREAS, a local food system can create farming, processing and distribution jobs and increased regional economic resilience; and

WHEREAS, building a local food system can provide fresher and healthier foods that can address the obesity epidemic that has resulted in increased food related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes; and

WHEREAS, building a local food system can reduce food transportation, soil erosion and ground water contamination with an increased direct relationships between the farmers and the consumers; and

WHEREAS, building a local food system can revive small towns, rural schools, businesses, and support the development and diversification of the rural infrastructure throughout our region; and

WHEREAS, the Western Lake Superior region has the agricultural potential to produce adequate supplies of healthy food necessary for a balanced diet,

Our organization supports the goal to purchase 20% locally grown foods* by the year 2020.

Organization:_____________________________________

Name and Title:___________________________________

Date: ____________________________________________

Contact Information:__________________________________

*Locally Grown constitutes food produced from:

Minnesota Counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine, St. Louis

Wisconsin Counties: Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, Washburn

Ontario Counties: Kenora, Rainy River, Thunder Bay or a 100 miles from the purchasing entity.

For processed foods with multiple ingredients, at least 50% by weight of ingredients must be produced within the Compact region.