IMPACT PARTNERSHIPS
WORK WITH US TO aDVaNCE LOCaL FOOD
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.
$653,567
in marketing services provided at no cost to 233 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.
-JAMES CAGLE, CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP (CADE)
“TLD is a well-connected organization with a wealth of experience in supporting the small farm movement by taking marketing and branding to the next level. Their unwavering support and impact is much appreciated. The sky is the limit in terms of collaborating with them.”
Need financial support to fund marketing efforts for your food or farm business?
Check out our guide to finding funding sources and writing a proposal that funders will be eager to support!
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
“There is no one better positioned in Michigan to support marketing of local food system entities. They are very comfortable and supportive of working with nonprofits and understanding the needs and requirements of working within grant and/or contract funding. Their connections to others working through the state and country is also extremely valuable to building additional partnerships and placing your work within larger contexts.”
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.
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE
“TLD presented two terrific workshops to our clients, with the goal of providing education around marketing initiatives. During workshops, they really take the time to answer personalized questions. The most positive outcome of partnering with TLD, and what they do best, was providing clients with marketing knowledge that builds confidence that their business can reach successful outcomes.”
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:
