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Sectors of food systems

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Water testing decision tree

Use this decision tree to determine what kind of water testing is needed and where/how to get it done.

Water testing (PDF)

Circular illustration showing processes of food systems

Ensuring that communities have access to fresh, affordable, healthy and culturally appropriate food requires economically sound businesses, strong community partnerships, and initiatives in all sectors of the food system. The resources here can help businesses, farmers, consumers, local leaders, government agencies and others create and strengthen food system businesses and opportunities in their communities.

 

 

  1. Icon for Grow, Produce, Harvest stage of food systems

    Grow / Produce / Harvest

    MU Extension provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help farmers strengthen and diversify their farming operations; encourage schools and communities to build learning gardens; train individuals and families on best practices for growing food in home gardens; share resources for foraging and hunting wild foods; and increase food safety practices for food production and harvesting.

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    Related MU Extension programs and interest areas:

  2. Icon for Deliver, Process stage of food systems

    Deliver / Process

    Adding value to farm products is a critical component to growing our local and state economy and strengthening our food and farm businesses. Here you can find resources for value-added processing, food processing safety, food aggregation and food hubs, and food entrepreneurship resources.

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    Related MU Extension programs and interest areas:

  3. Icon for Market, Distribute stage of food systems

    Market / Distribute

    Finding the right marketing strategy for food and farm products is critical to successful business strategies. These resources can help you use social media to advertise your business, build partnerships for farm to institution markets, and learn how to start and operate a farmers’ market, plus much more.

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    Related MU Extension programs and interest areas:

  4. Icon for Display, Purchase stage of food systems

    Display / Purchase

    MU Extension offers programs and resources for retailers to learn how to safely handle and display fresh produce and to market locally produced products, plus tips for shoppers at farmers’ markets to make safe food purchases.

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    Related MU Extension programs and interest areas:

  5. Icon for Prepare, Consume stage of food systems

    Prepare / Consume

    In this section you can find tools, programs and information to safely prepare fresh, healthy meals for your family, store and preserve your food purchases, and cook with in-season produce.

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    Related MU Extension programs and interest areas:

  6. Icon for Surplus, Waste stage of food systems

    Surplus / Waste

    Food waste is the single largest type of waste thrown away in the U.S. Use these tools from partners and agencies to conduct school food waste audits, reduce the amount of food you throw away at home, learn how to compost food waste, and learn how to challenge your neighborhood to reduce food waste in your community!

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