Farm to Institution New England (FINE) was founded to build a network across New England states that would support efforts to increase institutional demand (from schools, universities, hospitals, corporate dining services, etc.) for regionally produced foods while also increasing local food producers’ and processors’ capacity to meet that demand. Their broader mission is to mobilize...

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Karen Karp & Partners (KK&P) was recently retained by the City of Charlotte, North Carolina to provide consulting services regarding improvements to the regional food system, specifically addressing the city’s farmers’ markets. The mission of the study is to develop recommendations for a market system that supports farmers, entrepreneurship, and food access while building community...

In conjunction with the James Beard Foundation 2017 Food Summit: Consuming Power, which took place this October 23rd and 24th, KK&P worked with The James Beard Foundation, Radius Global Market Research, and the Good Housekeeping Institute, to conduct a research study that examined American consumers’ motivations behind their food choices, beliefs, and behaviors. The goal...

Late last year, Karen Karp & Partners was retained by the Memphis-based AgLaunch to develop an innovation strategy to grow the regional agriculture system of the Mid-South Delta Region. Consisting of 98 counties in Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee, the Mid-South Delta is home to remarkable assets that support a multi-billion-dollar agriculture and food economy....

At KK&P, more and more we are being called upon for our “thought leadership” – from one-off events to more complex design and facilitation to comprehensive agriculture and food sector strategic plans. Sometimes it’s the reason a client selects our firm over an equally experienced competitor. The term has become so commonplace, and I’ve accepted...

Over the past 6 years, Karen Karp & Partners has worked closely with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council (RIFPC) as they have grown and strengthened the state’s food system. First commissioned in 2011, KK&P detailed the then-current capacity of Rhode Island’s food system, identified priorities for the RIFPC and other stakeholders working to increase...

Every year, the NYC Food Policy Center at Hunter College releases its annual class of New York City’s 40 under 40, an impressive roster of people working to transform the food system. We were excited to see many names familiar to KK&P here, and are proud to highlight a few of them. Our specific congratulations...

“Gastronomy Facing Sustainability: How new recipes should help to reduce food waste & loss and drive our food habits towards sustainability & health.” We are pleased to announce the 5th “Eating City Summer Campus”, inviting 28 participants aged 22-32, working & studying around food sustainability: Chefs, Food Procurement Officers, Farmers & Fisherman, and Foodies from...

In early 2016 KK&P was retained by Hands on Hartford (HOH) to create a best-use plan for its kitchen, cafe, and community space in their new Center for Community. Hands on Hartford – a non-profit that supports Hartford residents with a range of programs in the areas of food, housing, and economic security – had...

Last week, I attended the 40th Annual National Food Policy Conference, organized by the Consumer Federation of America, in Washington DC. The conference was a great convening of people working in government, academia, philanthropy, for-profit, and nonprofit entities related to food. Keynotes and panels addressed wide ranging issues, including state and local policy, big data...