ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo

processes with which they may not be familiar, but may encourage younger
participation in an increasingly aging profession.
F. Infrastructural Strategy: Food Hubs
County governments may also decide to establish, coordinate and
support Regional Food Hubs. A food hub may include 1) a central physical
location, 2) business management, and 3) any combination of aggregation,
storage, processing, distribution, and marketing of locally produced foods. 16
The physical location is characterized as a permanent place for storage
and sale, including any number of layout permutations (See Figure 11.1).
The invaluable business management component coordinates local supply
chains by logistically pairing producers with distributors, processors, and
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clubs. The entire facility is a drop off point for producers, and pickup for
distributors and consumers interested in purchasing locally.
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Virginia’s Appalachian Harvest Food Hub, established in 1995. 17 The hub
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organic farming after joining), unifying them under one regional brand to
market and distribute their produce. The all­important sales and marketing
manager coordinates supply chains, gauges product demand, and plans for
harvests for over 500 supermarket buyers. The produce is sorted, graded,
packed and shipped on­site for buyers. Annual sales surpass $500,000,
and “estimated demand is 2 to 3 times the available supply,” indicating
successful marketing, and suggesting potential for growth. 18
108
Figure 11.1 ­ Example of Food Hub Layout
(Source: USDA, 2011)