IMPaCT
PaRTNERSHIPS
Our partnerships make us a standout in local food marketing and food systems support.
That’s because we partner with economic development agencies, nonprofits, schools, health departments, farmers markets, food-system support organizations, state agencies, federal programs, and more across the U.S. to expand the impact local food can have both for producers and consumers.
We do this by cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships tailored to the needs and goals of each organization. Whether you want support with a single project or to pilot an entire program with us…we’d love to help!
Many of these partnerships are made possible through existing funding for social impact projects or clients choosing to write us into their grant proposals.
Our team at Sanctuary Farms, a Fresh Food Connections participant.
$549,643
in marketing services provided at no cost to 167 farms & food businesses since 2021 with funding from our Impact Partners.
100%
of supported farms & food businesses say they’d recommend TLD services to another local food business.
200%
74% of our clients report an average of 200% ROI in their first year after TLD marketing services.
Learn About Our Impact Projects
FOODSPICE
We partnered with MSU’s Center for Regional Food Systems to provide subsidized marketing technical assistance as part of their Food SPICE program.
Food SPICE (Food Systems Partners Investing in Communities and Entrepreneurs) is a group of food systems stakeholders working together to strengthen the viability, resilience, and equity of Michigan regional food economies.
Impact at a Glance
TLD provided a total of $47,500 worth of marketing services.
We supported 19 businesses with marketing technical assistance.
All businesses were BIPOC-owned, Women-owned, and/or Veteran-Owned
MIFMa
MIFMA, Michigan Farmers Market Association, was established in 2006 as a statewide association to promote local food consumption in Michigan by connecting more farmers to consumers through farmers markets. The number of farmers markets in Michigan has grown from around 90 in 2001 to nearly 300 in 2023.
Over the years we’ve partnered with MIFMA in a variety of ways:
Writing and producing videos for them
Assisting with data collection around farmers market manager compensation and tenure
Creating a guide for their market vendors of the various eCommerce and payment platforms available and an overview of their costs and features
FRESH FOOD
CONNECTIONS
Fresh Food Connections, a partnership between Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Taste the Local Difference (TLD), and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, seeks to increase fresh produce consumption by connecting SNAP-eligible communities via eCommerce to farmers committed to food access.
Individuals and families interested in fresh food select a local farmer that meets their needs and register to pay using SNAP/EBT or their preferred payment method.
Impact at a Glance
So far FFC has supported 23 farms with 736 marketing hours.
Over $130,000 has been given in cash stipends directly to small farms to increase production.
All farms are owned by farmers with diverse backgrounds and cover Houghton, Luce, Ingham, Oakland, and Wayne counties.
What our impact looks like:
Working with a food entrepreneur incubator program to deliver marketing technical assistance services to their participants
Creating educational content and training videos focused on food systems marketing and business development for a university extension program
Developing marketing materials and resources for multiple producer associations and organizations; including MIFMA, MIFFS, MI CSA Network & CSA Innovation Network
Assisting in facilitating farm-to-school programming and procurement
Piloting an innovative program to provide small farmers with funding and marketing services, in addition to an additional revenue stream, by connecting them with SNAP recipients in their area; also increasing access to fresh, local food
Piloting an innovative program to provide small farmers with funding and marketing services, in addition to an additional revenue stream, by connecting them with SNAP recipients in their area; also increasing access to fresh, local food
Partnering as a local food marketing expert with national networks such as CSA Innovation Network, Midwest Vegetable Growers Network, & Nutrition Incentive Hub (NIH) Local Sourcing Cohort
Streamlining local food data collection into one place, finding gaps in previously collected data, and sharing as iFrames and anonymous exports for public consumption to enhance research, advocacy, and economic development
In addition to those listed above, we support organizations with several other services: targeted outreach, webinars, curriculum development, consulting
To learn more, view our Impact Report,
or contact Erika Tebbens, Director of Impact.
Our Impact Partners Include:
