Northland College

Northland College
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • Admissions
  • Athletics
  • Centers
  • Sustainability
Search
  • Directory
  • Campus Map
  • Calendar
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • News
  • COVID-19
More...
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate
    • Faculty
    • Resources
    • Opportunities
      • Internships
      • Undergraduate Research
      • Study Abroad
      • Off-campus Learning
      • Student Jobs
    • Graduate Success
    • Course Catalog
    • Transcript Request
    • Commencement
  • Campus Life
    • Dining
    • Housing
    • Outdoor Orientation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Indigenous Cultures Center
        • Native Student Offerings
        • Powwow & Awareness
        • Community Outreach
        • Native American Museum
    • Get Involved
    • Bicycles & Gear Rental
    • Fitness Center
    • Services
      • Counseling Services
      • Accommodations
      • Health Services
      • Safety & Security
  • Admissions
    • Visit Campus
    • Tuition
    • Financial Aid
      • Scholarships
      • Grants
      • Loans
      • FAFSA
      • Veterans
    • Enroll
    • Meet Your Admissions Counselor
    • College Fairs
  • Athletics
    • Athletic Website
    • Athletic Facilities
    • Varsity Club Membership
    • Buy Team Gear
    • Hall of Fame
    • Annual Golf Classic
    • Camps, Leagues, Tournaments
      • 3on3 Basketball Tournament
      • Basketball Camps & Leagues
      • Youth Soccer Camp
      • Softball Camp
      • Volleyball Camps & Leagues
    • Give to Athletics
  • Centers
    • Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation
      • Our Work
      • Student Research Opportunities
      • Lab Services
      • Burke Center in the News
      • Water Summit
    • Center for Rural Communities
      • Rural Livelihood Initiatives
        • Quality of Life Database
        • Northwoods Community Survey
        • Opinion Polls
        • Local Food Systems
      • Human-Environment Connection
      • Publications
      • Data Visualizations
      • Student Opportunities
    • Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
      • LoonWatch
        • About Loons
        • Protect Loons
        • Get Involved
        • Loon Appreciation Week and Poster
      • Timber Wolf Alliance
        • Wolf Awareness Week & Poster
        • Learn About Wolves
        • TWA Speakers Bureau
        • Wolf Status Reports
        • Vision for Wolves
        • Great Lakes Wolf Symposium
      • Youth Outreach Programs
      • SONWA Book Awards
        • SONWA Press Kit
      • Sigurd Olson Legacy
      • Apostle Islands Stewardship Symposium
      • Intangible Magazine
      • Forest Lodge Educational Campus
        • Rental Information
    • Hulings Rice Food Center
      • Compost Center
      • Larson Food Lab
      • Campus Gardens
      • Student Opportunities
  • Sustainability
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Board
      • Alumni Awards
    • Get Involved
      • Ask Our Alumni Panels
    • Transcript Request
    • Update Your Information
    • Events
    • Give
  • Giving
    • Christopher T. Morgan Scholarship
    • Meet Our Team
  • About Northland
    • President Karl I. Solibakke
    • Northland College Magazine
    • Campus Sculpture Tour
    • Advocacy & Public Discourse
    • Consumer Information

Local Food Important to Northern Wisconsin Residents

March 23, 2017

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • email

The majority of households in northern Wisconsin get their food from a diversity of sources and purchase food directly from farmers, according to the most recent Northland College Public Opinion Poll.

“The results show a northern culture of supporting local farms, sharing, producing, and gathering food—and an overwhelming 89.6 percent think people should choose food produced locally whenever possible,” said Brandon Hofstedt, faculty director of the Center for Rural Communities.

The Northland College Center for Rural Communities (CRC) conducted a poll of residents in the ten northernmost Wisconsin counties between December 2016 and January 2017. Pollsters asked 444 participants questions about where and how they get their food, how much of their food comes from those sources, from where they would like to get more food, and their general attitudes and values toward food.

More than two-thirds of respondents—68.3 percent—identified feeding their families from four or more different food sources.

“In other words, we have a regional food system that has the potential for weathering economic or environmental impacts—something referred to as resilience,” Hofstedt said.

Not surprisingly, stores are the most common and the largest source of food—some 77 percent stated they get most of their food from stores.

What is interesting is where people get the rest of their food. “While a poll like this has not been done in other places, I strongly suspect that getting food locally in these ways is a distinct north woods quality,” Hofstedt said.

Seventy-five percent of participants get food directly from farmers—on the farm, off-farm food stands, through community supported agriculture (CSA), farmer’s markets, or pick your own.

Some 65.6 percent get food by hunting, fishing, or gathering—ricing, tapping trees, gathering forest fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Some 58.5 percent grow fruits or vegetables, or raise animals for meat or products.

And 33.4 percent get food by sharing, exchanging, or by donation.

“These activities contribute to the diversity, resilience, and culture of the north woods food system,” said Robin Kemkes, research associate at the Center for Rural Communities. “For this reason, access to land is important for maintaining food security and a way of life.”

In fact, of those who hunt, fish, or gather food, 82.2 percent agree with the statement, “The state of Wisconsin should not sell public areas that are used for hunting, fishing, and gathering.”

Overall, 77.2 percent of all participants agreed public lands should be not sold.

In addition to prioritizing local food, nearly all households share healthy food values—that people have a right to know what’s in their food and that health is one of the most important factors for their household when making food choices.

The data not only indicate recognition of the importance of local foods but opportunity as well. Nearly 42 percent said they would like to get more of their food from farmers. “The hunger for local food does not seem to be satiated,” said Matt O’Laughlin, research associate at the Center for Rural Communities.

The poll identified the reasons households don’t buy more food directly from farms—seasonal limitations (41 percent), not knowing a farmer or where to find a farm (38.5 percent), too far away (26.7 percent), and not having time (25.4 percent).

“All of these barriers, though real, are not insurmountable,” Kemkes said. “With an already burgeoning local foods environment in northern Wisconsin, this shows there is potential for additional growth in the local food system, especially in stores where most people go for food.”

A summary of results can be viewed at northland.edu/polling. The margin of error is +/-4.6 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

Founded in January of 2015, the CRC applies research-based solutions to social and economic challenges, partners with community members to build on local knowledge, and promotes the long-term health and vitality of rural communities in the north woods region.

  • Visit
  • Info
  • Apply

News

  • A Conversation with Aja Gregg: Northland’s 2022 Commencement Speaker

    Each year, a graduating senior is selected to serve as the student…

  • From the Archives: Into the north land

    By the spring of 1973, the Sigurd Olson Institute of Environmental Studies…

  • Trespassing With Edward Abbey

    It was November 17, 1977, exactly two years and a week after…

  • In Gratitude and Recognition

    After decades of generous support, The DeWitt and Caroline Van Evera Foundation…

  • Northland College Participates in No Mow May

    Northland College is participating in “No Mow May,” an initiative aimed at…

  • From the Archives: Olson Delivers the First Johnson Lecture

    Sam Johnson was an early supporter of environmental studies at Northland College…

  • A Dream Career That Started Here

    Tim Carpenter ’74 led the way up the steep portage carrying a…

  • Bridging a Passage

    Bridges hold an innate magic. Spanning spaces that would otherwise be difficult…

  • From the Archives: Assembling The First Advisory Board

    An essential component of Bob Matteson’s vision for the Sigurd Olson Environmental…

  • Fall Fest Returns September 21–24, 2022

    After two years without in-person reunions, Fall Festival is returning to campus…

News Archive »

1411 Ellis Avenue
Ashland, WI 54806
(715) 682-1699 | Map
  • About Northland
  • Consumer Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Take a Class
  • Employment
  • Campus Store

my.northland.edu

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2022 Northland College. All rights reserved.

https://www.northland.edu/news/local-food-important-northern-wisconsin-residents

Our website uses cookies for necessary functions and to enhance your browsing experience. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.

Accept & Continue