10/15/2026
A new paper by Illinois Tech researchers explores the barriers that keep these producers out of institutional markets, even when their growing practices and culturally relevant crops align with buyers’ sustainability and community goals.
“Minding the Implementation Gap,” co-authored by Gaudy Solorzano Morera, an Illinois Tech Ph.D. student; Elizabeth Durango-Cohen, interim dean of Stuart School of Business; and Weslynne Ashton, professor of environmental management and sustainability, examines findings from surveys of 189 Midwestern food producers and interviews with institutional buyers and food-service professionals.
The research identifies barriers such as volume requirements, certification costs, and procurement procedures that often favor large-scale producers. The authors also outline potential solutions, including more flexible supplier contracts, revised bid evaluation criteria, and support for certification costs.
Read more about the research: https://bit.ly/3W5sDBw
