survey to review

CO-OP GREENHOUSE SURVEY for GMs and PRODUCE MANAGERS

Twin Cities Natural Foods Co-ops are researching the possibility of investing in local greenhouse production to provide year-round fresh, local produce to the Twin Cities area. This investment could be in the form of support to existing farmers with greenhouses, support to farmers who want to add greenhouse capabilities to their production, or a new business enterprise for interested co-ops in TCNFC.

The Board Presidents’ Interest Group has pursued this idea as one of several possible collaborative/cooperative ventures to further our common mission. The motivations to continue this investigation include the following:

* Member/shopper interest in purchasing locally grown produce
* Commitment to minimize energy consumption, i.e., food miles
* Opportunity to support local farmers
* Opportunity to diversify and expand co-op business

Please help inform us in our research by answering a few questions. We welcome your comments and insights, either attached to this survey or by email or phone (to ….?)

1. What is your current position?
____ GM
____ Produce Manager

2. At which co-op do you work? (list co-ops)


3. To the best of your knowledge, please rank the following factors in selling produce in your co-op. (1=most important, 10=least important)
___Taste
___Appearance
___Price
___Freshness
___Nutritional value
___Locally grown
___Organic/pesticide-free
___Environmental impact of production
___Season
___Other:___________________________________


4. Are you currently satisfied with the quality of the produce available at the Co-op?. Comment.

5. Certain vegetables fare better than others in greenhouse production. Of the following greenhouse-suited vegetab[DP1] les, which would be most profitable to sell in the off-season months for MN?
___Lettuce
___Spinach and other greens
___Tomatoes
___Peppers
___I eat seasonally, and do not purchase any
one type of produce all year-round.

6. Given what you know about the tastes and values of your shoppers, which of the following statements best describes your market:
___They may not know enough about greenhouse production to have an opinion.
___They think that local greenhouse production is a good option to secure MN’s local food availability.
___They prefer to eat seasonally and do not consume vegetables that are out of season.
___They prefer to eat local produce and would purchase local, organic greenhouse-grown produce before
purchasing imported produce.

7. If it were to cost more, how much would your shoppers/members be willing to pay for greenhouse-grown produce rather than imported produce during the non-growing season?
___Up to 10% more
___10%-20% more
___20%-30% more
___I am not willing to pay more.

8. Are you interested in being a part of the team exploring the concept of co-op involvement in greenhouse production?
Name: _____________________________________
Email: _____________________________________

9. Other comments, concerns:















CO-OP GREENHOUSE SURVEY for Shoppers

Twin Cities Natural Foods Co-ops are researching the possibility of investing in local greenhouse production to provide year-round fresh, local produce to the Twin Cities area. This investment could be in the form of support to existing farmers with greenhouses, support to farmers who want to add greenhouse capabilities to their production, or a new business enterprise for interested co-ops in TCNFC.


-More vegetables can be grown in a smaller area
- Healthy food produced without harmful chemicals
-Carbon emissions are reduced when produce does not have to be transported to MN from far away.


1. Are you a member of this co-op? yes no

2. What percentage of your groceries do you buy at the co-op?
___All of my groceries
___Some of my groceries
___Most of my groceries
___Selected groceries: ________________________

3. Please rank the following factors in how much they determine your selection of produce, if you buy it at the co-op. (1=most important, 10=least important)
___Taste
___Appearance
___Price
___Freshness
___Nutritional value
___Locally grown
___Organic/pesticide-free
___Environmental impact of production
___Season
___Other:___________________________________

4. Are you currently satisfied with the quality of the produce available at the Co-op?
___All of it
(I particularly love: _______________________)
___Most of it, except: ________________________
___I am not satisfied with it.



5. Of the following greenhouse-suited vegetab[DP2] les, which would you be most likely to purchase?
___Lettuce
___Spinach and other greens
___Tomatoes
___Peppers
___I eat seasonally, and do not purchase one type of produce all year-round.


6. Which of the following statements best describes your opinion:
___I don't know enough to have an opinion.
___I think that local greenhouse production is a good option to secure MN’s local food availability.
___I prefer to eat seasonally and do not consume vegetables that are out of season.
___I prefer to eat local produce and would purchase local, organic greenhouse-grown produce before
purchasing imported produce.

7. If it were to cost more, how much are you willing to pay for greenhouse-grown produce rather than imported produce?