CONTACT: Jim Ennis, Food Alliance Midwest, 651-265-3684; jim@foodalliance.org

3/1/06
MOUNDS VIEW, Minn.— SYSCO Minnesota has been named “Keeper of the Vision for a Sustainable Future 2006” by Food Alliance Midwest. Food Alliance, one of the nation’s fastest growing sustainable food certification programs, recognized the Mounds View firm for its commitment to supporting family farms and local communities.

“SYSCO Minnesota’s work in getting sustainably-produced food to its customers is a model of how food service providers can support farmers while meeting the needs of increasingly savvy diners,” said Jim Ennis, Director of Food Alliance Midwest.

“We try to educate customers about the importance of sustainable agriculture and what you get for that,” said Jeff Larson, SYSCO Minnesota’s Vice President for Marketing and Merchandising. He spoke during the award ceremony at the Food Alliance’s annual meeting in the Twin Cities last month.

SYSCO is the largest food service marketing and distribution organization in North America. In 2004, Larson and Bryce Backstrom of SYSCO Minnesota developed “SYSCO Farmers Market,” a partnership with farmers, processors and manufacturers in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Through this partnership, SYSCO Minnesota (www.syscomn.com) is making locally and sustainably produced food available to restaurants, colleges, hospitals and corporate campuses.

Since 2004, SYSCO Minnesota has collaborated with Food Alliance Midwest on its Farmers Market initiative. Food Alliance farms and ranches are certified for using environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices. During the past five years, Food Alliance has certified more than 80 producers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas. Fifty-five retail stores, 13 college and high school campuses, and 20 corporate campuses in the Upper Midwest offer Food Alliance certified products. Food Alliance Midwest, based in Saint Paul, Minn., was established in 2000 by the Land Stewardship Project and Cooperative Development Services.

For more on Food Alliance Midwest, call 651-265-3682, or visit www.foodalliance.org.

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EDITORS: For a digital photo of Jeff Larson accepting the award, contact Brian DeVore at bdevore@landstewardshipproject.org or 612-729-6294

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