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The Linn County Food Systems Council is a Board of Supervisors appointed group established to advise the County on policies and programs that support an economically, environmentally, and socially resilient food system in Linn County. The council is currently seeking a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges in growing our local food system through the implementation of a local food assessment and development of a planning document. To gain the community’s perspective and input in this process, we are working with New Venture Advisors to collect input from individuals engaged in the growing, making, and buying of local food including the following survey.

The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and will be available until the first week in March. Please note, this is only a survey, not a reporting document or test and your responses are not binding in any way. The responses to the survey will be kept confidential and you have the option of also remaining anonymous.

Thank you in advance for your time and participation. Please forward the survey link to others who may be interested. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Tertinger at Mike.Tertinger@linncounty.org or 319-892-5141.

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* 1. Do you currently operate a food business?

If your business has not yet launched, please respond to the following questions as if you are currently operating.

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* 2. Select the option below that best describes the type of business you operate.

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* 3. In what zip code is your business located?

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* 4. Where do you currently produce your goods?

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* 5. If you use a shared kitchen/incubator kitchen, which one do you utilize?

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* 6. Where do you/would you sell your products?

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* 7. How would you describe the market for locally grown and raised products? Please rate the following statements from agree, neutral, disagree.

  Disagree Neutral Agree
Shoppers and diners seek out locally-produced products
Shoppers and diners are willing to pay more for locally-produced products
Shoppers and diners who reside in Linn County need education on the value of buying locally-produced food
Institutional buyers seek out locally-produced products
Institutional buyers are willing to pay more for locally-produced products
Farmers have the opportunity to sell large quantities of locally-produced products
Farmers have the opportunity to grow and sell a diverse set of products
Farmers have a diverse choice in customers to sell to
The demand for local product exceeds supply

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* 8. What are your top two or three growth goals for your business? Examples of goals might include getting stocked at a large grocery store, launching a new product line, or turning a profit.

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* 9. What are the main challenges you face in growing your business? Examples of challenges might include limited time for sales and marketing, lack of capital, or permitting challenges. 

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* 10. What types of business support services would help you reach your business goals? Examples of services might include training on accounting or food safety, support with recipe development, or networking with other local food businesses. 

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* 11. If available, would you be interested in applying for a micro-grant ($5,000-$10,000) to support the growth of your business?

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* 12. Please indicate which of the following, if any, you are willing to pay a premium for when purchasing agricultural products for your business?

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* 13. How does your organization define “local” when referring to locally grown or produced food products?

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* 14. Approximately what percentage of your annual spending (in dollars) on food ingredients is for items produced locally?

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* 15. Approximately what percentage of your annual spending (in dollars) on food ingredients is for items produced in Linn County?

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* 16. Who are your primary suppliers of local farm products?

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* 17. What are the top three challenges you face when purchasing local food ingredients?

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* 18. If your pricing and other requirements were met, what volume of the following products would you buy from local producers? (Indicate volume next to the appropriate category, for example 100 dozen eggs or 200 pounds of frozen berries, etc.)

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* 19. Please provide any additional comments, suggestions, concerns or questions that should be taken into account when assessing the challenges and opportunities of the Linn County Food System.

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* 20. The Linn County Food System Council will be hosting a meeting to discuss the results of this survey and gain additional feedback. Please select the following as it relates to your participation in this meeting [approximately 1.5-2 hours].

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* 21. By checking this box you are acknowledging that your responses to this survey, including any proprietary, privileged, or confidential information, WILL NOT be publicly disclosed. Summary findings of the surveyed population may be shared publicly, but will not reveal information identifiable to individual farm operations.

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* 22. If you would like to be added to a contact list for food systems, please provide your contact information below. 

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