Networking for Food Security

Food hubs bridge this gap by meeting the needs of both farmers and grocers. These hubs coordinate the collection, distribution, and marketing of food products grown by regional producers, helping them get their yields from field to shelf. That logistical legwork provides the consistency and volume that grocers need to be able to satisfactorily serve their customers, and it gets more fresh food into cafeterias, stores, and schools—where most people shop and eat—in underserved communities and food deserts. Food hubs can thus become a crucial piece of a food-supply chain, enabling farmers to scale up, and supplying consumers with a wider range of regional options—all of which supports local economies and reduces the costs and carbon emissions associated with shipping.