Associations use directories to link local producers, consumers

Idaho non-profit trade associations are increasingly turning to online statewide directories to link producers and providers of products to potential customers and each other.

Two of these are up and running in their early stages. The Idaho Manufacturing Alliance, which advocates for the manufacturing industry throughout the state, is beta testing its Connect Directory. It already lists nearly 800 companies, according to Sheri Johnson, executive director of the 501(c)6 non-profit association.

The directory, she said, was borne out of the frustrations encountered when clients needed to source specific parts or processes.

“We would send a bunch of emails or throw the request in our newsletter,” Johnson said. “This is such a passive way to get the information. Our partners at Idaho Commerce and the state’s Economic Development partners had the same problem.”

The Connect Directory (connect.idmfg.org) came to fruition with funding assistance through a federal Economic Development Administration grant administered by the Idaho Department of Commerce. Funds for the grant came from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

“We partnered with contacts at the University of Idaho and their Computing and Data Services teams to get the beta version up with this seed funding,” she said.

The directory allows users to search by keyword, NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes, capabilities and more, within both simple and map searching formats.

“So, if a machine shop needs a finisher, they can go in and search. If a food manufacturing company needs process pumps or fittings, they can search to see if anyone in Idaho makes or supplies these items,” Johnson said.

Currently, the directory is populated with public and manufacturing lists, “but we are pushing to get as many Idaho manufacturers and suppliers into the directory as possible,” she said. The site is free and open to the public, with no registration required.

Public beta testing will continue for up to six months, and the IMA is spreading the word  to get manufacturers and material suppliers to complete their profiles. The next phase will include directory improvements, based on feedback from users and available project funds. With additional project funding, Phase 3 will include promoting the site to manufacturing associations and publications outside Idaho.

“The more in-state and in-region sourcing we can do, the better for our economy and for supply chain management, in most cases,” she said. “We also plan to use the directory, as well as a statewide supply chain assessment we are working on with Idaho Commerce as part of larger EDA grant funds, to identify holes and challenges in Idaho’s manufacturing supply chain.”

The hope is that the Connect Directory will be the first place an Idaho manufacturing company goes to fulfill their materials and processing needs.

FARE Idaho (food, agriculture, restaurant and beverage establishments), a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association representing independent food and beverage businesses across Idaho, recently launched its own directory, known as the Field to Fork Exchange (fareidaho.org/exchange). Katie Baker, executive director, said she “worked and volunteered at a food cooperative for several years, and through that experience, realized when joining FI that sourcing locally was still problematic.” 

The Field to Fork Exchange was started out of the realization that chefs want to source locally, she said, “but often don’t have the time or bandwidth to source local products.” 

It’s the same with farmers who want to sell to local buyers “but don’t have the capacity to market their products and farm. The goal at FI is to connect Idaho retailers to producers and simplify the process.”

The exchange uses an online platform developed by 47Farms.com to directly connect producers and retailers on financial transactions. A two-year Specialty Crop Grant covers the minimal platform costs and additional marketing opportunities for specialty crop producers, Baker said.

Justin Buckley, program manager for the Field to Fork Exchange, said the grant covers producers of fruits, vegetables, flowers, mushrooms and other crops.

Baker said other producers will pay a minimal fee to participate in the platform. It is available to FARE Idaho’s members and non-members alike.

For now, the exchange is business to business only, and is FI’s first attempt at tackling how to make sourcing local products easier.

“As our organization moves forward, our hope is to help make Idaho producers a more competitive option and allow retailers to more readily source local products. Most importantly, we want to keep this accessible to all,” she said. 

FI’s goal is to build a more resilient food system, and the exchange is just one of many possible solutions to achieve this. FI members will be traveling the Gem State to train folks how to use the platform so it can be used statewide. Online training for the exchange is available by emailing Buckley at [email protected].