Friday, September 11, 2009

LOCAL FOODS SPECIALIST job in Eau Claire


LOCAL FOODS SPECIALIST

(Part Time Employment Opportunity)

The Producers and Buyers Co-op (PBC) of Altoona, Wisconsin has an immediate opportunity for an LTE staff person to work twenty-five (25) hours per week through December 2009(training period). Hourly pay is $13.50. This position works under the direction of theCooperative’s Board of Directors.

The mission of the Producers and Buyers Co-op (PBC) is: operate a profitable and “values- based” business specifically for the exchange of sustainable goods between local farms,businesses, and institutions.

The employee will work independently to take product orders from buyers, verify orders, and arrange for product procurement, processing, transportation and storage. The employee will provide outreach to new and existing buyers interested in purchasing large volumes of local foods including fruits, vegetables, and value added products, as well as to producers interested in supplying these markets in an effort to increase local sales and sourcing.

The employee will develop content for the PBC website; conduct outreach and education; draftboard meeting agendas and take minutes, make site visits to potential co-op members; develop marketing materials; and perform other writing, research and outreach tasks related to the mission of PBC.

Position Requirements: A combination of training and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, urban/regional planning, agricultural enterprise development, or closely related field with one to three years of related professional work experience.Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Experience working with agricultural producers or a farm background is essential. This is a telecommuting position which requires access to a personal computer with Microsoft Office, high speed internet access, printer, scanner, and fax. The position has the potential to continue beyond December, 2009. Web development experience is helpful but not required.

Recruitment ends when the Cooperative’s hiring needs are satisfied. Please submit a resume and cover letter to: Producers & Buyers Co-op at PO Box 207, Altoona, WI 54720-0207. An Affirmative Action Employer.


http://www.producersandbuyers.com/

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Eat Local Breakfast

Hey Local eaters.
I hope everyone is loving the eat local challenge. We are into our 2nd week already and I am feeling great. Now I know that a lot of people had some hesitancy about how they would be able to eat locally for the month. And I am not going to deny it, I had some doubts too. I especially had doubts when our family was assigned the morning meal last weekend at the cabin with the extended family. My husband wanted me to get bisquick to make the waffles but I told him that I wanted to look at Just Local Food and see if there wasn't some local baking mixes we could use instead. He actually pleaded with me to just go and get bisquick. He was so worried that because we were feeding the parents he didn't want the meal to be a bust if the mix turned out to be to "wierd" (his words) "wheaty" or too "whole grainy". But I was committed to doing this meal the right way. And my argument was, as you would agree, I'm sure, that if we can't introduce new local foods to the people we love, which is the whole point of the the challenge, then I wouldn't be holding up my end of the challenge. So I set out and ma so HAPPY to say NAILED IT!

Here was our Menu:
  • Great River Organic Milling Company Buttermilk Mix
  • Eggs, Pepin, WI
  • Milk from Crystal Ball Farms, Osceola, WI
  • Butter from Organic Valley La Farge, WI
  • Raspberries Berries from Wheatfield, Duarnd, WI
  • Strawberries from Jacks Berries Stands around Eau Claire
  • Morning GLory WHipped Cream from De Pere, WI
  • Sausage from Anderson Farms, Arkansaw, WI
  • Bacon from Anderson Farms, ARkansaw, WI
  • Pure Maple Syrup from Barron, WI

Now the Orange Juice was Dole brand but I think all in all we did a Bang-up job and it wasn't hard or to "whole grainy"for anyone. at all.