Help needed with Research Project

Hello 100milers,

As a research assistant from the Environmental Conservation lab at the University of Manitoba, I am writing in hope of receiving some assistance from you. Colin Anderson, a PhD student is conducting research and we are interested in gaining insight into the expectations, ideas and feelings around today's food systems, both local and global.

We hope to find retailers and consumers who are actively involved in local food systems who are willing to participate in an interview. This research is in collaboration with the Harvest Moon Food Group. The HMFood Group is comprised of farm families located in Southwestern Manitoba who are committed to connecting producers with both urban and rural customers to distribute locally produced food as part of an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable food system. The HMFood Group is currently in the developmental stage, thus working in collaboration with them will enable us to help the community succeed with their social enterprise. This study will also allow us to explore the role local food systems can play in mitigating the adverse affects of rural decline.

The interviews will be audio recorded, unless the participant is uncomfortable with this. The recordings will later be transcribed and Colin will use them for research purposes and possibly for promotional and educational materials for the HMFood Group. Each interview will be approximately an hour in duration and Colin has received some funding to pay $50 per interview so that people are compensated for their time.

Please reply and include contact information (name, phone number, email) of retailers or consumers who you consider to be actively using a local food system. It would also be helpful if you could provide some contact information of people who you would consider to be conventional retailers or consumers.

Thank you so much for your help,
Aimee Waruk