The Food Hub
Connecting Farmers to Markets to Increase Farm Profitability and Local Food Access
The Intervale Food Hub is building a community food system that connects Vermonters in ways that are convenient, profitable and equitable. As part of a collaborative process, the Intervale Center has identified and implemented creative strategies to assist farmers with securing new, stable markets.
For more information, or to find out about how you can buy farm-fresh Vermont products through the Intervale Food Hub, visit http://www.intervalefoodhub.com (website coming soon).
OVERVIEW
The Intervale Food Hub began in 2007 with research into both farmer needs and consumer demand. You can access much of our research here. We then developed a three pronged strategy for increasing farmer access to growing local food markets.
A Multi-Farm Community Supported Agriculture Program
In June 2008, the Intervale Center launched a weekly food delivery program modeled after multi-farm Community Supported Agriculture. For more information, contact Sona Desai at 802-660-0440x112.
Storage: A Necessity for Chittenden County’s Local Food Future
The Intervale Center is addressing the growing need for season-extending storage for Burlington-area farmers by investing in shared storage facilities.
Local Brokerage Services: Consolidating Product to Meet the Growing Demand
Local brokerage services coordinate the connections between growers and purchasers so that farmers can meet the needs of wholesale markets. If you are interested in buying product from the Intervale Food Hub’s farmers’ collaborative, please visit Intervale Food Hub or call Sona Desai at 802 660 0440 x 112.
Our Partners: Farmers
The Intervale Food Hub is committed to conducting high quality research and implementing programs that are in the best interest of Vermont’s family farmers. We also have resources for on-farm enterprise and market analysis.
RESEARCH
The 2007 Producer Survey
In 2007, the Intervale Center conducted a farmer survey to determine the challenges and opportunities available in agricultural production and marketing in Chittenden and the five surrounding counties. In particular, our research focused on the interest and capacity for Vermont farmers to expand production and increase marketing outlets. Additionally, the survey explored farmer interest in collaborative marketing and shared season-extending storage facilities. The following reports detail our findings:
(2007) Intervale Center. Sample of the 2007 Producer Survey.
(2008) Intervale Center.Vermont Farm Producer Survey: Peliminary Report.
(2008) Schattman, Rachel. Maintaining Farm Identity through Alternative Marketing Practices.
(2009)
Intervale Center. Expanding Local Food Production, Storage, and Marketing Capactiy in Vermont: Results from the 2007 Farm Producer Survery.
Consumer - Demand Research
In addition to our supply-side research, the Intervale Center has researched consumer demand from households, restaurants and institutional markets.
(2007) Abda, Lauren. Determining the Feasibility of the Burlington Food Hub Among Chittenden County Restaurants (results from the 2007 chef survey).
(2008) Intervale Center. Explaining Chittenden County Food Expenditures.
(2009) McKellips, Beth. Laying the Groundwork: A Snapshot of a Regional Food System in Chittenden and Surrounding Counties.
Additional Food Systems Research
(2007) Intervale Center. Moving Food: How Farmers and Nonprofits are Building Localized Food Systems for the Twenty-First Century.
(2008) Intervale Center. Food Systems: Annotated Bibliography.
Our research continues! Check back often for new reports and updates.