Shared-Use Freezer Space Feasibility Study
In late 2023, the East Central Regional Development Commission held a local food listening session with small farmers from the East Central region of Minnesota to discuss business challenges. Many farmers identified a lack of available freezer space as a supply chain challenge when selling frozen meat products to consumers. The collected farmers recognized they needed more information about the various costs and implications of solutions, including the possibility of shared-use space. With grant funding from the Minnesota Farmers Union Foundation’s Cooperatives for Climate grant, they were able to commission a feasibility report from regional farmer and consultant, Joel Barr.
The feasibility study investigates several solutions including:
small single-farm options
small and large multi-farm facilities
rented space in a large regional facility
creative collaborations including co-operative ownership
It does not make a final recommendation, but aims to help farmers understand options and decide which one might be realistic for their size, scale, and particular context. We hope it will spark more discussions and inspire creative collaborations!
For more information, please contact me at hannah@medicinecreekfarm.com or Joel at abrahamstablefarm@gmail.com.
