Regional Food Hub Kicks off 2013 Season
NABC provides technical assistance to multiple regional food hubs. Together, these partnerships are simplifying and supporting the process of getting good, local food from farm to plate through online sales platforms to facilitate sales, and a physical aggregation and distribution facility to overcome logistical challenges.
Local food systems research nationally and regionally shows that one of the biggest hurdles to building regional food systems are infrastructural and logistical barriers: large volume sales, efficient transactions, and convenient aggregation and delivery of product. Through the development and support of farmer-owned regional food hubs, NABC and our collaborators are addressing these challenges — removing barriers for both producers and buyers.
Some of the regional food hubs are bolstered by an online sales platform developed by Local Orbit specifically for NABC supported markets in our region. The online platform is intuitive and user friendly. Tech support staff, when needed, is responsive, and the tools are dynamic — the company has already made many changes to their platform based on feedback from hub users here in NW Washington. Producers selling through the online markets have access to smart tools to increase efficiency and profitability, including e-commerce, sales & delivery tracking, and inventory management. Buyers have access to the aggregated supply of local food producers, streamlined purchasing and invoicing, and a direct, traceable supply chain.
On Monday, March 25, NABC reopened two online marketplaces, the Farm to Table Store and 21 Acres Store — both served by the 21 Acres Food Hub. The first aggregated deliveries of took place today! NABC distributes weekly fresh sheets only to registered buyers every Monday through mid-December.
To learn more about NABC’s role in the development of regional food hubs, please visit NABC’s website.
Farmers! We’re looking for more food farms to participate as sellers. Not sure which market is right for you? Take a look at the table below to find out. North Sound producers are invited to Mix it Up at the Hub at Bow Hill Blueberries April 15 to learn more about regional food hub development in Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Whatcom counties. If you have any questions about how to participate in this event, or in any of the regional food hubs NABC supports, please contact Lucy Norris at lucy@agbizcenter.org.
