
ABOUT
Based in Portland, Oregon, Alder Street Consulting provides business support services to agricultural producers, businesses, organizations and governmental agencies at the intersection of food production, sustainability and social justice. Since 2016 Alder Street Consulting has helped those that support local food systems fulfill their critical role in healing our communities, society and planet.
Specialties Include
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Writing business plans
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Organizing financial information in QuickBooks to better understand profitability across enterprises and sales channels
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Creating financial analysis tools that producers can use to answer pressing cost and revenue questions
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Conducting feasibility studies and market analysis for potential new enterprises
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Generating pro-forma budgets and financial models for exploring “what-if” scenarios
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Assisting with applications for Value-Added Producer Grants
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Alder Street Consulting’s ideal clients share our passion for building a more just and sustainable world and express that commitment through their business and production practices and the products and services they provide. Let’s work together for the benefit of your business, your community, and the customers you serve.


OUR TEAM

Rich Schwartz, MBA
Principal
Rich’s most resonant moments have been the many hours he has spent in community with farmers on their land: working the land, harvesting the bounty, sharing meals, appreciating the seasons, engaging in social action. Inspired by the depth of commitment and values of those who feed our body and spirit, Rich embraced the opportunity to formalize his studies and build a strong portfolio of experiences in order to contribute his unique strengths to some of today's thorniest problems.
Rich has a longstanding engagement with sustainable and just food systems and local and regional foods. In addition to founding Alder Street Consulting in 2016, Rich has worked as a software developer and volunteered for numerous environmental and social justice organizations. Rich is currently serving on the boards of directors for the Portland Farmers Market and the Farmers Market Fund, and is an active member of the Farming for the Future working group of the Oregon Community Food Systems Network.