Climate-Smart Food Systems Assessment of Local and Regional Food Systems

The Climate-Smart Food Systems (CSFS) Assessment will evaluate multiple components of local and regional food systems within Minnesota, such as production, aggregation, storage, processing, and distribution, to identify the most impactful opportunities and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe), improving food security, and expanding local food economies. This CSFS Assessment will provide a more comprehensive understanding of multiple components of the food system, associated GHGe, and how they intersect at the local, regional, and statewide level.

Conducting the assessment will be a collaborative process between the contractor, the Regional Food Coordinators, Regional Food Networks, MDH, and MPCA. The contractor will work alongside each Regional Food Coordinator and Regional Food Network to define their food systems and determine how to assess them. The CSFS Assessment process will identify existing food systems assessments, compile relevant GHG emissions data where available, analyze gaps, identify key drivers of GHGe within local and regional food systems, and identify point-source and whole systems level GHG emission reduction opportunities within Minnesota local and regional food systems.

The CSFS Assessment will serve as a technical resource and planning tool for the Regional Food Networks and beyond to better understand their local and regional food system and identify the most impactful strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also improving food security and expanding local food economies.

Deadline extension! Applications are due Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, no later than 5 p.m. (CT).