Artisan Food Products Network

In my time working on local foods, there has been a steady drumbeat of antagonism from local foods advocates against the perceived damage being done to their cause from larger food businesses. In fact, no one seems to have taken a vote on how we assign 'sides' in this discussion. The larger food businesses and organizations I've dealt with over the years have almost uniformly supported local food initiatives.  While their scale and mission often don't match up directly with specific local food causes,  the people in these larger food companies almost always are available to help and grow their industry. So we have this unnecessary split in a business that's vital to everyone in the world. This is a profoundly dumb time and place to be behaving this way. Larger food companies have fought through the market forces that hold back small businesses. They have the people power, the supply chains, and the momentum to help the entire food enterprise - small and la

The June 2017 of Food Processing magazine has a cover story dedicated to nurturing new food companies and their innovations. "It's a story that has been repeated throughout food and beverage history.  John Tyson driving a truck of chickens to sell in Chicago.  J.L. Kraft selling cheese from a horse-drawn wagon.  John Pemberton concocting Coca-Cola at his pharmacy's soda fountain." I especially liked how this article closes... "An 'historical shift' in corporate R&D is under way, with food companies focusing on operational efficiency and abandoning innovation and the personnel that drive it.  Many of those product development experts are involved in the right-for-the-times foods from start-ups and early stage companies.  But the next disruptive change in the supply chain is always just around the corner.... believes only large corporations have the wherewithal to weather it." "Anomalies like Chobani will happen, and the seismic shi

General Mills is a long standing member of our partner the Midwest Food Products Association. In collaboration with Walmart's Project Gigaton , General Mills recently committed to a reduction of 5 million metric tons in emissions from food processing operations. As part of General Mills overall strategy, the company has committed to reduce the emissions of its full value chain to sustainable levels by 2050. Full story , in Food Processing Magazine, May 2, 2017. General Mills Midwest Food Products Association

Artisan foods represent a 'big tent' in the culinary world. We like the definition provided by Food Processing Magazine: "Artisan foods are often described as culinary-inspired, hand-crafted, home-style, limited-edition, seasonal, special-recipe and yes, natural." Food Processing Magazine November 2015

Greetings.  Glad you're here. The Artisan Food Products Network (AFPN) is a new network of professionally managed artisan food manufacturing centers, local food businesses and organizations that support this work. Our mission is to develop networks of regionally collaborative artisan food manufacturing centers and support systems.  Our initial targets are regions served by our partner, the Midwest Food Products Association, but we are growing into a national organization. We are gearing up for our inaugural Artisan Food Business Expo, to be held Nov. 20-30, 2017 in Rochester, MN.    Stay tuned for more information here, or visit our web site below. Welcome! Visit our AFPN web site