HELLO, WE ARE NEW GROWTH ASSOCIATES
We’re a food systems consulting firm that specializes in helping you make good decisions about your community’s resources as you build a robust and thriving local food system. We know this work can be complex and overwhelming. We’re here so it doesn’t have to be.
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STUDIES & ANALYSIS
Asking the right questions to get you the right answers through a process that is both rigorous and community participatory.
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PROJECT PLANNING
Sometimes the hardest part is getting started. Identifying realistic goals, boundaries, timelines, and resources is the first step to a successful project.
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SPEAKING
Want to add our voice to your next event? We’d love to help with a keynote presentation, teaching, group facilitation, or rounding out a panel discussion.
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COACHING
Sometimes you need a skilled coach to help you make the greatest impact. We're available to give you our focused attention and provide expert guidance to help you grow your ideas.
Our Portfolio Of Work
WHY CHOOSE NEW GROWTH ASSOCIATES ?
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CLIENT FOCUSED
We listen carefully to understand your goals, context, and needs, asking thoughtful, challenging questions to help you know and design the next right steps. We do custom work that honors the unique needs of your community.
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TEAM
New Growth Associates are food and agricultural professionals with a wide range of skills, abilities, interests, experiences, connections, and perspectives to meet your objectives.
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DATA DRIVEN
Every recommendation we make evolves from both quantitative and qualitative research, supporting informed decision making for our clients grounded in your reality.
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RESEARCH
We have the experience and expertise to shed light on the questions that matter to you. Beginning by digging into the existing secondary data sources and identifying what’s useful and what’s not, we work to fill in key gaps by conducting targeted research.
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ANALYSIS
We’re experts at letting the data and your community speak together so you can leverage the power of a comprehensive report to implement actionable steps.
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TIMELY & EFFICIENT
As a lean, nimble consulting firm, we are able to construct the right team at the right stage to complete your project on time and at budget.
NEW GROWTH IS READY TO START YOUR PROJECT
START TODAY
Experience & Expertise SERVING YOU
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POWERFUL RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
Our team brings deep knowledge of food systems and agricultural economics to help you uncover the right way forward. Our research approach combines comprehensive data analysis with national expertise to construct both high level and ground level recommendations.
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COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS
We work with you and your community to develop the best solutions for your needs. The key to our ability to help grow our client's initiatives is a collaborative partnership. We work with you and your community to develop the best solutions for your needs.
OUR TALENTED TEAM
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Principal at New Growth Associates, brings seasoned experience producing feasibility studies, economic analysis, and policy recommendation.
Megan Phillips Goldenberg
Principal Partner -
Ken Meter is one of the most experienced food system analysts in the U.S., integrating market analysis, business development, systems thinking, and social concerns.
Ken Meter
Project Partner -
With an interdisciplinary academic background, farming experience, and work as a grant fund manager, Austin combines thoughtful intelligence with a passion for localized food systems.
Austin Wertheimer
Project Associate
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A retired pediatric nurse practioner, diversified vegetable farmer, and USDA trained, food safety auditor she lends research support to New Growth Associates.
Vicki Zilke
Research Associate -
A communication specialist, Jesse has an almost unnatural ability to define the problem and provide clear recommendations to communicate the solution
Jesse Wilson
Director of Communication -
As a designer / developer, Dave brings over 15 years of technical knowledge to the team. His focus on the impact of design ensures the project will be understood and well received.
Dave Baldwin
Director of Design
15
States with Regional Studies
100
Years of Collective Food Systems Experience
80
Community Projects
6000
Cups of Coffee
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
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"I have had the fortune to work with Megan and New Growth Associates in collaborative ventures related to grains in local food supply chains. She is an extremely knowledgeable professional who has a good understanding of both the agricultural and industrial sides of food systems. Megan’s perspective and assets she brings to a team environment are refreshing!”
Ashley McFarland
Michigan State University Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center -
“Megan's support of early food systems work in Colorado, and CSU's ability to continue to call on her for on-the-ground support for USDA trainings in Michigan is a testament to our respect for her expertise and locally-oriented perspective. If you want capable project management, together with thoughtful insights on your food systems ideas and project, you should consider New Growth Associates as a partner”
Dr. Dawn Thilmany
Professor with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University -
“New Growth Associates is a true food system partner. They offer expert insight, identify valuable strategic alliances, and apply valid evaluation metrics. The Food Corridor appreciates NGA's contribution to our business and the community as a whole”
Ashley Colpaart
Founder/CEO The Food Corridor -
“Megan's ability to work at, and analyze, multiple levels of the food system have made her an amazing supporter of our community. She has leveraged previously unavailable resources, been a passionate leader, always paying great attention to detail.”
Jason Frenzel
Stewardship Coordinator at the Huron Watershed Council -
“New Growth Associates were instrumental in the planning of our food hub's business operations. Their careful, organized research helped us surface critical information about our potential suppliers and customers, and their deep knowledge of the food system ensured their survey results were put in context and used effectively.”
Rachel Bair
Director for Sustainable and Innovative Food Systems at Kalamazoo Valley Community College
