title: Farmers' perceptions of local food procurement, Mississippi, 2013.
abstract: We sought to understand the experiences and perceptions of food producers regarding food procurement programs for local institutions. A total of 72 (45%) Mississippi fruit and vegetable growers completed a mailed survey, and of those that reported selling to local businesses and institutions (54%), few were selling to schools (13%). The primary motivations to sell to institutions were to increase profits (67%) and to improve nutrition within their communities (57%), while the most commonly reported barrier was a lack of knowledge about how to sell to institutions (39%). Farm to institution programs must develop evidence-based practices designed to address barriers to producers' participation in local institutional food procurement programs.
authors: Delta Directions, Clarksdale, Mississippi.
authors: Nathan
authors: N
authors: Rosenberg
authors: Center for Research, Evaluation and Environmental and Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc, Jackson, Mississippi.
authors: Nhan L
authors: NL
authors: Truong
authors: Delta Directions, Clarksdale, Mississippi.
authors: Tyler
authors: T
authors: Russell
authors: Center for Research, Evaluation and Environmental and Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc, Jackson, Mississippi.
authors: Deja
authors: D
authors: Abdul-Haqq
authors: Center for Community-Based Programs, My Brother's Keeper, Inc, Ridgeland, Mississippi.
authors: June A
authors: JA
authors: Gipson
authors: Center for Research, Evaluation, and Environmental and Policy Change, 5420 I-55 North, Suite A, Jackson, MS 39211. E-mail: dhickson@mbk-inc.org.
authors: DeMarc A
authors: DA
authors: Hickson
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D003132:Commerce / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005522:Food Services; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D005638:Fruit; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008922:Mississippi; D009042:Motivation; D012574:Schools; D012923:Social Class; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D000078329:Workforce