Many people are working to ensure that food businesses (such as those engaged in production, processing, distribution, and food-related events) contribute significantly to the regional economy by generating more food and jobs at a range of skill levels in SE Minnesota.

This statement was based on passages from "Marketing Study of Opportunities for Foods Grown Locally or Sustainably in Minnesota"...

In both the retail grocery and the foodservice sectors, companies are consolidating seeking to gain ever-increasing market share and power to influence the price they pay for food products. (p.9)

..."Finding Food in Farm Country"...

Moreover, if farmers and consumers fail to devise a more locally-based food system, then the outcome is likely to be further erosion of the capacity of the region to build wealth, and further harm to soil and water resources. (p.29)
More money cycling through the region for food would mean more local youth could remain in their home region and make a decent living. (p.29)

...and "Migrant Farmworkers in South-Central Minnesota: Farmworker-Led Research and Action for Change."

Each year, 20,000 to 35,000 migrant agricultural workers come to Minnesota to work in farm fields and food processing plants...Some [survey respondents] noted that migrant farmworkers are the only people willing to perform the jobs offered in the food processing plants. Others suggested that the main benefit that factories and farmers receive is cheap labor. (p.1,5)

It is also reflected in statements from the Minnesota Grocers Association...

The food retail industry provides jobs for thousands of Minnesotans... Statewide, the food retail industry pays millions of dollars in local property taxes and acts as a collector for sales taxes.

...the Minnesota Pork Producers Association (on a past version of their webpage)...

Minnesota pork producers are fortunate to have two major pork processing plants [Hormel and JBS] within its borders... Research shows that each job at the farm level in hog production creates two supporting jobs in pork processing.

...and Olmsted County's "General Land Use Plan."

The vast majority of agricultural products are exported from the county with income flowing into the county. In addition to its significance as a basic sector industry, agriculture supplies raw materials to other local and regional basic sector industries...

Begin this path

1. Marketing Study of Opportunities for Foods Grown Locally or Sustainably in Minnesota (metadata)
2. Finding Food in Farm Country (metadata)
3. Migrant Farmworkers in South-Central Minnesota: Farmworker-Led Research and Action for Change (metadata)
4. Minnesota Grocers Association (metadata)
5. Minnesota Pork Producers (metadata)
6. County of Olmsted (metadata)

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