3 Days of Events Strengthen Food and Farm Business Finance & Community
Food and farm businesses and experts advanced the success of this innovative sector Sept. 16-18, during FFI’s fourth annual Food Finance Forum and Expo. This year’s events included a two-day pre-conference Raising Equity training, four food and farm business tours, a forum and expo at Garver Feed Mill featuring expert panels and regional food businesses, and a lively happy hour. The events brought together more than 100 innovative food, beverage, and farm entrepreneurs and experts to celebrate and replicate food business growth strategies from across Wisconsin and our region.
Keynoter Sam Rikkers, deputy secretary and COO for Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), was first on the program:
“The food and beverage industry fuels our Wisconsin economy and the communities we live in,” said Rikkers. “We’re investing in and supporting small businesses because they are net new job creators. We’ve been so proud to partner with FFI on the Fellows Program, which produces amazing ROI.”
WEDC supports FFI’s Fellows Program, a four-month accelerator that has helped more than 250 local food, beverage, technology, value-added agriculture, and processing businesses grow and thrive.
The Food Finance Forum and Expo also featured expert panels, a four-stop food and farm business tour, and an exhibitors’ expo. Throughout the event, attendees heard program participants share their stories and insights.
FFI Fellows Program participant Hannah Kopplin, co-owner of Tots on the Street, located in St. Francis, WI, recently got her company’s gourmet tater tots placed in Roundy’s, Piggly Wiggly, and Woodman’s grocery stores. “The people, opportunities, and resources of the FFI Fellows program really helped us grow,” said Koplin. “We know we’re not alone, and we feel much more confident knowing we’re avoiding mistakes in this process.”
“The Food Finance Forum and Expo was an incredible opportunity to connect the ecosystem of food businesses, service providers, and consumers in our state and region all in one place,” said Sarah Larson, director, FFI. “In addition to hearing success stories from inspiring entrepreneurs, we focused attention on innovative strategies for raising equity in food and farm businesses, and on the evolving retail landscape.”
The forum and expo followed a 2-day Raising Equity training by FFI Innovative Finance Expert Tera Johnson.
A closing happy hour brought together members and friends of Naturally Wisconsin, a project of FFI and a Naturally Network chapter, with participants from across the food and farm business community. Complimentary appetizers were provided by Ian’s Pizza and Sitka Seafood, both located in Garver Feed Mill.
Read more details about the speakers, exhibitors, food tours, and agenda at foodfinanceinstitute.org/forum.
