Perceptions of the Benefits and Challenges of Purchasing Local Foods in the Iowa Hotel Industry

Abstract

Buyer: Individual in a hotel foodservice operation that handles the ordering and purchasing of necessary ingredients and supplies Conventional vendors: Suppliers who obtain and sell products regionally (multi-state) or nationally and exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: defined infrastructure, sales representatives, multiple delivery vehicles, and regional or national distribution (e.g., Sysco, US Foodservice, Loffredo Fresh Produce Co.). Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Locally-based socioeconomic model of agriculture and food distribution wherein a food producer, such as a farm, sells subscriptions directly to consumers and provides its products directly to them. Decision maker: The person responsible for business decisions at an establishment. Full service hotel: A hotel which offers overnight accommodations, meeting spaces, and foodservice establishments. Limited service hotel: A hotel, which offers basic, room accommodations and guest amenities with minimal public areas. Local food: Agricultural food products grown or produced within 200 miles of the user and purchased directly from farmers through various outlets, including farmers' markets, CSAs,-pick-your-own‖ farms, Internet marketing, and niche markets.