The Alachua County Fresh Food Pathways Program: Food Hub Feasibility Study is a 30-month project focused on understanding how a community-based food hub could strengthen the local food system, support farmers, and increase access to fresh, locally grown products.

Alachua County has contracted New Venture Advisors (NVA), a food system consulting firm, to lead this study. NVA is working closely with County staff and local partners to assess market demand, infrastructure needs, and opportunities to connect local producers with schools, hospitals, and other institutions that purchase food at scale.

What is a Food Hub?

A food hub helps farmers and food producers bring their products to larger markets. It provides coordinated services—such as aggregation, sales, distribution, and marketing—to connect small and mid-sized farms with high-volume buyers.

Key Areas of the Feasibility Study

The study will focus on several major components:

Market Analysis – Evaluating opportunities for local food aggregation and distribution.

Operating Model – Identifying a sustainable structure and management approach for a food hub.

Pilot Project – Testing real-world strategies for aggregation, distribution, and sales.

Food Hub Design – Developing concepts for facilities, logistics, and operational needs.

Business Plan – Creating a detailed roadmap for potential implementation and long-term viability.

This effort builds on Alachua County’s commitment to the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) standards, which guide public institutions toward value-based food procurement that supports local economies, nutrition, environmental sustainability, fair labor, and animal welfare. By advancing this work, the project supports community efforts to ensure that more residents, including those in low-income and historically marginalized neighborhoods can reliably access healthy, locally produced food.

By combining community input with strong data and industry expertise, the feasibility study aims to build a clearer path toward a more connected, resilient, and sustainable local food system in Alachua County.

Feasibility Study Presentation

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