A TPMA-developed study is helping Indiana agricultural
officials look at ways to grow the state’s network of specialty crop Food Hubs.
Food hubs bring growers and buyers together in ways that
maintain the food value chain from farm to customer. This emerging system for
the collection, processing and distribution of local foods can consist of space
for retail vending, processing and equipment; community kitchens; and
warehousing, packaging and transportation distribution facilities, among other
services.
The study was released last month by the Indiana Department
of Agriculture and contains five broad recommendations, including the launch of
a Virtual Indiana Food Hub Network; exploration of a Sub-Hub Model for Hoosier
Harvest Market, a Greenfield-based regional food hub model with an existing
online purchasing system; streamlining of State policies and procedures,
including incorporation of information on the Indiana State Department of
Health (ISDH) Farm Produce Safety Initiative into the Indiana State Department
of Agriculture Web site to better inform producers on requirements to sell to wholesalers;
better marketing of Indiana specialty crops and regional food hubs; and increased
ISDA Food Hub Planning Resources.
Monrovia-based Prosperity Consulting assisted TPMA with the study, which a U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant funded and administered. The USDA defines
specialty crops as "fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits,
horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture." For more
information on Indiana Food Hubs,
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