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Most efficient ways to aggregate, store, pack and ship local food from farms to…

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Agriculture 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
99220 		Program Year/Program:
2010 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
2010-00437 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
8.9 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
IRV & SHELLY''S FRESH PICKS
5625 W HOWARD ST Niles, IL 60714-4011
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Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2010
Title: Most efficient ways to aggregate, store, pack and ship local food from farms to regional centers: Illinois Pilot Project
Agency: USDA
Contract: N/A
Award Amount: $81,067.00
 

Abstract:

This project proposes to improve the infrastructure for moving local food from farms to regional cities. Limited capacity for post-harvest handling, packing and transporting farm products is an obstacle to further growth in the local food market in Chicago. The goal of this project is to find ways to alleviate these bottlenecks so the many benefits of local food, principally to public health, the environment, and rural economies, can be increased and more broadly enjoyed. To achieve this goal the project will: 1) document through interviews and analyze previous attempts at local food distribution; 2) design a next generation distribution system; 3) test the new design with a pilot distribution program in the Dixon Springs area of Illinois; 4) identify additional enhancements, and; 5) prepare the ground for implementation of additional distribution facilities at other Illinois locations. Successful completion of this project will increase purchases of local vegetables, fruit and animal products. This will be accomplished by improving Illinois farmers' access to the Chicago market, reducing the costs of transportation, and enabling increases in farm production and income.

Principal Investigator:

Irvin Cernauskas
null
8474100591
irv@freshpicks.com

Business Contact:

Shelly Herman
Owner
8474100594
shelly@freshpicks.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

IRV & SHELLY''S FRESH PICKS
5625 W HOWARD ST Niles, IL 60714

EIN/Tax ID: 204279805
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No