In 2006, PASA began a project called the Regional Food Infrastructure Network (RFIN) to identify core infrastructure problems and their potential solutions. Throughout the process, PASA helped build many partnerships to improve profitability for local farmers while providing greater access to local foods for consumers. This project has gained increasing momentum over the past 3 years, and has positioned PASA to continue its role in leading the local food revolution. We have now grown beyond the role of simply investigating the network to a role of fostering local food system development.

Focus Areas:

Consumer Education and Marketing
(Buy Fresh Buy Local®, Healthy Food initiatives, nutrient density)

Sales Channels
(Farm Market Alliance, Co-ops, chain stores, Community Supported Agriculture)

Distribution Networks (collection, transportation, storage)

Workforce Development (apprentices, seasonal workers)

Crop production (growing techniques, seed banks, commodity and specialty crops)

Value-added Processing (Kitchens, Chefs, mobile and regional support)

Network Communications (Academic, Governmental, Companies and Organizations)

Agri-tourism (Farm Stands, Pick-Your-Own, Bed and Breakfasts, Farm Tours)

Succession Planning and Land conservation (Land Trusts, Easements, Estates)