What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Systems Coordinator - Consultant position at Jasper County Economic Development Organization?
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
CONSULTING SERVICES
KIRPC REGION AG STRATEGY - FOOD SYSTEMS COORDINATOR
The KIRPC Ag Region invites consultants to respond to this Request for Proposals (RFP) for consulting services to assist the region in coordinating the food systems strategy identified in the 2022 KIRPC Region Agricultural Strategy. The KIRPC Ag Region consists of Benton, Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, Starke and White Counties and is facilitated by the Jasper County Economic Development Organization (JCEDO). Agri-business is a competitive strength in the KIRPC region and the goal in implementing the Ag Strategy is to develop resources and policies to support the sustainability of agriculture and growth of value-added agriculture.
The successful consultant would be required to perform the attached Scope of Work in collaboration with the KIRPC Ag Region Core Team. The consultant should understand that the attached Scope of Work is not inclusive. Consultant should feel free to add to their proposal, based on their experience and best practices, additional measures that should be incorporated into the final Scope of Work to improve the overall process and result.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS:
KIRPC Ag Region requires consultant’s proposal to include, at a minimum:
· A Statement of Qualifications specific to the objectives of this strategy development- see Scope of Work
· A proposed plan of work describing how the consultant would suggest completing the Scope of Work
· A proposed work schedule including timetables for completion of the minimum tasks.
· A description of the consultant’s organization and resumes of the key staff assigned to this project.
· Cost proposal including a rate schedule. (Special Note – mileage and expenses are to be included in the rate and not itemized separately.)
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION:
Prospective consultants should submit a copy of their RFP no later than April 18th, 2025, by 4:00 pm Central Standard Time to:
Jasper County Economic Development Organization
ATTN: Sara DeYoung
PO Box 314
104 W. Washington St. Suite B,
Rensselaer, IN 47978
or by email to: sara@jaspercountyin.com
Questions concerning this RFP should be directed to Sara DeYoung at (219) 863-1740.
The KIRPC Ag Region executive team will review all submissions and may, if necessary, invite selected applicants to make a presentation and respond to questions. JCEDO reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and is not guaranteeing that a consultant for the Food Systems Coordinator will be hired.
KIRPC REGION AG STRATEGY - FOOD SYSTEMS COORDINATOR
SCOPE OF WORK:
Key Responsibilities
Establish a communication network with existing farmer’s markets in the KIRPC region. The network should contain a feedback link for communication to the Food Systems Coordinator and a mechanism for broadcasting information to the farmer’s markets in the region.
Create a directory of all farmer’s markets in the region, farm stands and other distribution points and generate a calendar for operating days and hours. Work with local tourism directors, community foundations, chambers of commerce, economic developers to connect the directory and calendar to existing community websites.
Generate sub-directories for each farmer’s market that includes vendor lists, products, and hours.
Based upon input from market masters, generate a series of webinars to address needs among farmer’s markets that may include issues such as food safety, marketing, payment systems, etc.
Coordinate with the Ag Strategy consultants to connect new farmers to existing farmer’s markets and distribution systems.
Work with individual market masters in each county to identify specific needs and concerns and consult with individuals to connect them to resources.
Consult directly with the Jasper County Economic Development Director to develop and implement a plan for the Rensselaer Farmer’s Market Pavillion.
Consult directly with the Starke County Economic Development Director to create and implement a plan to start a farmer’s market in Starke County.
Serve as the liaison between KIRPC regional food activities and those already underway with the Northwest Indiana Food Council to assure that efforts are complementary and options for expanding or offering satellite services shared with the KIRPC.
Assist the Ag Strategy consultants in the development of a resource guide for local food producers to list local, state, university and private support services. These may include food product development, marketing, food safety, legal, packaging, finance, etc.
Deliverables
Comprehensive directory of all farm distribution venues (farmer’s markets, farm stands, community supported agriculture (CSA’s) and their annual schedules.
Web information for each county with farmer’s market locations, schedules, products and services.
Minimum of six recorded webinars targeted toward market masters and/or local food producers with topics that might include information on food regulations, marketing, food safety, business planning, etc.
Work with the Ag Strategy consultants and based upon the inventory created at the beginning of the contract, increase the number of local food producers distributing food locally by 15%.
Deliver an implementable plan for the development of the Farmer’s Market Pavilion in Rensselaer.
Create a timeline, punch list, and implementation plan for starting a farmer’s market in Starke County.
Establish and facilitate monthly meetings with executives at the Northwest Indiana Food Council.
Provide a monthly report of activities.
Job Types: Contract, Temporary
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Rensselaer, IN 47978