Food Hubs

food hubs

 A food hub is a businesses or organization that actively manages the aggregation, distribution and marketing of source-identified food, primarily from local and regional producers to strengthen their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail and institutional demand. Though they come in many forms, from coops to multi-farm CSAs to big, bustling warehouses, they are a critical component of a viable thriving local food economy.  

You can find a library of recent and featured food hub resources here!

Featured Resources

TitleAuthorDescriptionYearTags
LFM NWFHN Case StudyLFM NWFHNHow can we create a more vibrant and resilient food system? One emerging idea is …2023
Interoperability In Regional Food Systems: A Solution in a Public BlockchainTony Coble, Cullen Naumoff Interoperability in Regional Food Systems2023
Data’s Role In Regional Food Systems: A Practitioner’s GuideCullen NaumoffData’s Role in Regional Food Systems2023
A Practioner’s Guide to Developing and Growing a Food Hub NetworkFarm FareDeveloping and sustaining a food hub network2023
Value Chain GuidebookValue Chain Initiative2005, , ,
The Value Chain LinkThe Value Chain Initiative2006, ,
Institutional Investment in PraxisElliott Smith, Kitchen Sync StrategiesInstitutional Investment in Praxis Learn more about examples of institutional investment including stories from a …2021, , ,
Delivering More Than Food: Understanding and Operationalizing Racial Equity in Food HubsMichigan State UniversityThis report is a look at a how U.S.-based food hubs understand engagement in racial …2020,
From Food Hubs to CSAsWallace CenterWhen COVID-19 upended markets in the spring of 2020, many hubs borrowed elements of a …2020, , , ,
USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program Wallace Center Research Findings and Final ReportWallace CenterThis report examines how a group of food hubs and local distributors were able to …2020, , , ,
Findings of the 2019 National Food Hub Survey ReportMichigan State University, Wallace CenterSince 2012, Michigan State University’s Center for Regional Food Systems and the Wallace Center at …2020
Running a Food Hub Volume 4: Learning from Food Hub ClosuresUSDA Rural DevelopmentThe goal of this study is to examine factors that have led food hubs to …2016,
Food Hub Common Chart of AccountsFarm Credit EastThis is a sample chart of accounts for a food hub to help you ensure …2017,
Running a Food Hub Volume 3: Assessing Financial ViabilityUSDA Rural DevelopmentThis is the third volume in a series on the fundamentals of running a food …2016,
Financial Management for Food Hub Success – The 2018 Food Hub Finanical Benchmark Study FindingsWallace CenterFindings From the 2018 Food Hub Financial Benchmarking Study2019,
A Manager’s Guide to Food Hub Finances – Companion ResourceIowa State UniversityA Manager's Guide to Food Hub Finances - Companion Resource Companion Resource to the Manager’s …2017
A Manager’s Guide to Food Hub FinancesIowa State UniversityFinances for food hubs2017
Overcoming Obstacles to Frozen Local ProduceCommon MarketThis case study traces Common Market’s exploratory process, product trials, and relationship building that ultimately …2014, ,
Moving Food Along the Value ChainUSDA Agricultural Marketing ServiceThis report examines the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of eight diverse food value chains to …2012, ,
Managing Cash Flow for a Low-Capital Food Hub Start-upUSDAManaging Cash Flow for a Low-Capital Food Hub Start-up For food hubs, or businesses that …2015,
Running a Food Hub Volume 1: Lessons Learned from the FieldUSDA Rural DevelopmentRunning a Food Hub Volume 1: Lessons Learned from the Field The first in a …2015
Running a Food Hub Volume 2: Business Operations GuideUSDA Rural DevelopmentRunning a Food Hub Volume 2: Business Operations Guide The report’s main focus is on …2015
Findings of the 2017 National Food Hub SurveyMichigan State University, Wallace CenterFindings of the 2017 National Food Hub Survey Findings of the third biennial National Food …2018,
Value Chain Strategies for Source-Identified Minimally Processed Produce for the School MarketWashington State Department of AgricultureValue Chain Strategies for Source-Identified Minimally Processed Produce for the School Market WSDA analyzed minimally …2018, , , , , ,
Reframing Food Hubs – Food Hubs, Racial Equity, and Self-Determination in the SouthCenter for Social Inclusion Reframing Food Hubs - Food Hubs, Racial Equity, and Self-Determination in the South This paper …2018,

Have a Food Hubs resource you want to add?

Want to engage peers on this topic?