A Remarkable Advantage for the New England Regional Beef-to-Institution Marketing Study

Rose Wilson, business and marketing consultant based in Norwich, Vermont has been selected as the project leader of the New England Beef-to-Institution Marketing Study.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets, the Vermont Agricultural Innovations Center and the State Agricultural Departments and Agencies of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire are collaborating in a joint effort to research and develop the implementation plan for regional marketing of locally produced ground beef to New England institutions. In addition, the Rhode Island Division of Agriculture, Healthcare Without Harm, the Northeast Farm-to-School Network and Harvest New England are providing organizational support to encourage the regional effort.

The goal of the study is to support sales of New England-grown food and agricultural products through various channels to reach local consumers. The implementation plan developed from the study will be a resource for producers, distributors, institutional buyers, state departments of agriculture, and other partners in the sourcing and utilization of regionally raised beef.

The consulting team on the Marketing Study consists of senior level talent across a variety of disciplines. The team includes Rose Wilson as the project leader, Charlene Andersen of Kamigo Marketing LLC as coordinator of institutional market research, communications and social media, Louise Calderwood lead distribution channel researcher, and Kate Rumley as research assistant. Policy Analyst Doug Hoffer will assist with development of effective survey questions and statistical verification of the research results.

For more information contact Chelsea Lewis Vermont Agency of Agriculture (802) 828-3360; Chelsea.Lewis@state.vt.us