Buy Fresh Buy Local

• Why become a Buy Fresh Buy Local Upper Minnesota River Valley Chapter Partner?
• How do I become a Partner?
• Are there other Chapters like this one?
• How is this different from Minnesota Grown?

Why become a Partner

Become a local partner of the Upper Minnesota River Valley Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapter so you can be part of the movement to:

• expand local markets for sustainable grown foods
• the increase the consumption of local, health food
• diversify the economic based and agriculture landscape
• and protect the natural resources of the Upper Minnesota River Valley.

How to become a Partner

Local Partner Dues:

• $10 for food producing farmers, food service, retailers, farmer markets, caterers serving local foods, and interested individuals (Vocal Locals)
• $25 for Sponsors including: non-profit organization, churches, agencies, government, public institutions, chamber of commerce
• Checks payable to: University of Minnesota

For more information about becoming a local partner, click here.

Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapters

The Upper Minnesota River Valley Chapter was launched in late 2007 and is one of 60 Buy Fresh Buy Local chapters in the United States coordinated by the national Food Routes Network and its regional chapter affiliates.

Three chapters in Minnesota: St. Croix River Valley, Red River Valley and Upper Minnesota River Valley chapters, are associated with Land Stewardship Project, the regional Chapter affilate; Food Routes provides communication tools, organizing support and marketing resources to local chapters to create their own unique, community-based local food campaigns. The BFBL label is a registered trademark owned by Food Routes.

Statewide and Regional Identity

Minnesota Grown program is a statewide partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Minnesotans who grow or raise specialty crops and livestock. Its statewide logo identifies and promotes those specialty crops and livestock food products grown in Minnesota, regardless of production methods or size of operation.

The Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapter - Upper Minnesota River Valley promotes a label that identifies with a bio-region of the state and reflects a set of values around sustainable principles and production methods. The Chapter also provides an avenue for local food producing farmers, retailers, processors, and interested organizations or individuals to work together in building a regional sustainable food system.

The Buy Fresh Buy Local logo is part of a national campaign and network of bio-regions chapters across the U.S. that identifies with sustainable principles and production methods. Many Chapter farmer partners are also members of Minnesota Grown as they see benefits to participate in both programs.