Mobile Cooler (Refrigomobile)
Donation protected
Sometime in the late eighties/early nineties, I realized that there was a serious problem with our local food system. I could grow and purchase bulk fresh produce, lose half of the products to unnecessary weather-induced decay, and still glean profit off of the retail venture.
At the time, I was twelve years old, and operating a fresh produce stand in the rural town I still call home. The inability to place the food into local wholesale buyers' hands prior to losing it just seemed wrong. At the time, I did not yet have an answer.
Throughout the years, I have flirted with reselling local produce grown by others, partially for the profit that came directly from their goods and partly because helping sell their goods helped to sell mine. It has always been a win-win...and there has always been an unreasonable amount of waste.
I decided to start addressing the problem. I did not achieve immediate success, but a plan began to form. A tentative plan, based on need. Need turned into desire. Desire turned into passion. Passion and duty drive what I do today.
My wife and I began regularly selling at Farmer's Markets, Roadside Stands, and front-yard setups in 2011. We met some great local people--vendors and customers. But there was still a problem...connecting the supply and demand was beyond my capabilities. There was both waste and unmet demand.
In 2012, focus was shifted toward wholesaleing. We were able to serve 20 local grocery stores and 6 restaurants regularly. Waste was reduced, and there was a substantial increase in profit. The experience was a good one, a definite part of the overall plan. However, there were still problems. I did not get to meet my customers...in fact, customers generally did not know where their food originated. Additionally, traditional retail customers were upset that I could not fill their needs, and it was logistically impossible to meet all local wholesale needs. But...it was an important lesson in economics, to say the least.
2013 turned out to be a season of networking, research and planning. I traveled to conferences throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin to learn how things are done that work. The "big plan" developed and evolved.
I learned about Good Agricultural Handling Practices (GAPs), so I took the training and wrote a Safety Plan.
I learned about the potential impacts of Food Safety & Modernization Act (FSMA) on small food farmers, so I became a Produce Industry Member to help guide and follow industry Best Practices.
Last season, (2014) huge steps were taken toward implementing the plan. The huge steps were in my garden, at the homes and businesses of local farmers, at work, and my own front yard. Friendships grew and continue to mature with the most local wholesale customers and retail customers.
Currently, we are dedicating five days a week to wholesaling watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and sweet corn. We still have waste, but less than ever before. We attend and vend at our County Farmer's Market, and will begin a Wednesday market this week.
Demand is still sorely unmet on both the retail and wholesale ends. Although we have significantly reduced waste by limiting what we sell, our current offerings could expand greatly with a simple mobile refrigeration unit. Local supply and demand exist, and we will connect them.
Expectations of this campaign:
Waste...greatly reduced
Product offerings...greatly increased
Meeting demand...huge bounds
On-farm pickup...possible
Revenue...one temp position added
Someday, Central Illinois will not have to accept a $5 billion annual loss on consumable fruits and vegetables! We will not have to buy 95% of our food from outside sources! The $.32 of every $1.00 spent on fresh produce transportation can be drastically reduced! (Reference the Edible Economy Project).
Obviously, this will take more than our little organization...but we can do our part, and encourage others to do the same.
Steps taken so far toward the "Refrigomobile":
Purchased evaporative cooler (110v)
Purchased condensing unit (110v) with a spare compressor (rebuilt)
Located individuals with smaller trucks to ensure reliable purchasing and deliveries
Purchased store shelving to outfit a cargo trailer
Purchased a larger alternator for my truck (then realized that the big truck would still beat up the more perishable foods)
Needs:
(1) 10-15 foot cargo trailer
Materials to insulate trailer
Installation of cooling unit
Large power inverter (12v DC to 110v AC) and wiring
Heavy gauge power cord (for non-moving storage)
Thermostat
Larger alternator for delivery vehicle?
Watch our progress on Facebook!
At the time, I was twelve years old, and operating a fresh produce stand in the rural town I still call home. The inability to place the food into local wholesale buyers' hands prior to losing it just seemed wrong. At the time, I did not yet have an answer.
Throughout the years, I have flirted with reselling local produce grown by others, partially for the profit that came directly from their goods and partly because helping sell their goods helped to sell mine. It has always been a win-win...and there has always been an unreasonable amount of waste.
I decided to start addressing the problem. I did not achieve immediate success, but a plan began to form. A tentative plan, based on need. Need turned into desire. Desire turned into passion. Passion and duty drive what I do today.
My wife and I began regularly selling at Farmer's Markets, Roadside Stands, and front-yard setups in 2011. We met some great local people--vendors and customers. But there was still a problem...connecting the supply and demand was beyond my capabilities. There was both waste and unmet demand.
In 2012, focus was shifted toward wholesaleing. We were able to serve 20 local grocery stores and 6 restaurants regularly. Waste was reduced, and there was a substantial increase in profit. The experience was a good one, a definite part of the overall plan. However, there were still problems. I did not get to meet my customers...in fact, customers generally did not know where their food originated. Additionally, traditional retail customers were upset that I could not fill their needs, and it was logistically impossible to meet all local wholesale needs. But...it was an important lesson in economics, to say the least.
2013 turned out to be a season of networking, research and planning. I traveled to conferences throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin to learn how things are done that work. The "big plan" developed and evolved.
I learned about Good Agricultural Handling Practices (GAPs), so I took the training and wrote a Safety Plan.
I learned about the potential impacts of Food Safety & Modernization Act (FSMA) on small food farmers, so I became a Produce Industry Member to help guide and follow industry Best Practices.
Last season, (2014) huge steps were taken toward implementing the plan. The huge steps were in my garden, at the homes and businesses of local farmers, at work, and my own front yard. Friendships grew and continue to mature with the most local wholesale customers and retail customers.
Currently, we are dedicating five days a week to wholesaling watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and sweet corn. We still have waste, but less than ever before. We attend and vend at our County Farmer's Market, and will begin a Wednesday market this week.
Demand is still sorely unmet on both the retail and wholesale ends. Although we have significantly reduced waste by limiting what we sell, our current offerings could expand greatly with a simple mobile refrigeration unit. Local supply and demand exist, and we will connect them.
Expectations of this campaign:
Waste...greatly reduced
Product offerings...greatly increased
Meeting demand...huge bounds
On-farm pickup...possible
Revenue...one temp position added
Someday, Central Illinois will not have to accept a $5 billion annual loss on consumable fruits and vegetables! We will not have to buy 95% of our food from outside sources! The $.32 of every $1.00 spent on fresh produce transportation can be drastically reduced! (Reference the Edible Economy Project).
Obviously, this will take more than our little organization...but we can do our part, and encourage others to do the same.
Steps taken so far toward the "Refrigomobile":
Purchased evaporative cooler (110v)
Purchased condensing unit (110v) with a spare compressor (rebuilt)
Located individuals with smaller trucks to ensure reliable purchasing and deliveries
Purchased store shelving to outfit a cargo trailer
Purchased a larger alternator for my truck (then realized that the big truck would still beat up the more perishable foods)
Needs:
(1) 10-15 foot cargo trailer
Materials to insulate trailer
Installation of cooling unit
Large power inverter (12v DC to 110v AC) and wiring
Heavy gauge power cord (for non-moving storage)
Thermostat
Larger alternator for delivery vehicle?
Watch our progress on Facebook!
Organizer
Brian Burson
Organizer
Martinsville, IL
