USDA releases report on current state of food hubs

A report that provides a comprehensive look at the economic role, challenges and opportunities for food hubs in the nation's growing local food movement finds that the success of these hubs is rapidly expanding, with well over 200 food hubs now operating in the United States.

USDA released the new report, titled The Role of Food Hubs in Local Food Marketing, on Tuesday, according to a press release.

"At USDA we are committed to food hubs because we believe that they offer strong and sound infrastructure support to producers across the country which will also help build stronger regional food systems," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan while announcing the release of the report at during a visit to Hollygrove Market and Farm, a produce market, local distributor and farm in downtown New Orleans. "This report is an important addition to the ongoing research in this field and Hollygrove is an example of how it is done."

USDA's working definition of a regional food hub is "a business or organization that actively manages the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of source-identified food products primarily from local and regional producers to strengthen their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand". More information about USDA's work on food hubs is available at www.ams.usda.gov/foodhubs.