EASTERN FOOD HUB COLLABORATIVE - EASTERN UNITED STATES

EASTERN FOOD HUB COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND GOVERNANCE POLICY REVISION FOR A DIVERSE FOOD HUB NETWORK

FACILITATION AND LEADERSHIP, STRATEGIC PLANNING | 2024 - PRESENT

The Eastern Food Hub Collaborative (EFC) is a network of food hubs and support networks that work together to improve market opportunities for farmers and increase equitable access to good food by leveraging food hub collaboration, best practices, financially sustainable transactions, and transparency. Food Works Group (FWG) provided network facilitation for the development of EFC’s five-year strategic plan and revision of EFC governance policies. This includes facilitating a three-day in person convening for more than 13 member food hubs represented by over 30 individuals. The convening provided initial input to the strategic plan. FWG will continue working with the managing director as a committed thought partner on EFC program objectives, with a particular focus on increased network engagement and improved facilitation of member needs. The result will be an adaptable strategic plan that can be leveraged by all member hubs to move the network forward.

EFC FUND PROSPECTING

FUNDRAISING AND RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION | 2023

Food Works Group (FWG) was retained by EFC to conduct prospecting for funding options that could support EFC generally, as well as our partner, Local Food Network (LFN), in the development of an interactive asset map that supports improved coordination and trading among member hubs. FWG conducted desk research and informational interviews focused on foundation grants, corporate grants, government funding, venture capital, and other funding entities that may engage in the food system space. Our research also focused on identifying entities that are passionate about technology and data collection as a means to support broader mission-based goals, such as eliminating hunger, addressing climate change, or strengthening the food distribution supply chain.

ASSET MAPPING FOR RESILIENT REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS

LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS | 2021 - 2023

As part of a larger USDA grant co-written by Food Works Group (FWG) and the EFC, FWG led the creation of a comprehensive regional food system asset map, with the goal of developing a replicable model for use by food hub networks nationwide. This exercise included a stakeholder assessment with member hubs and industry and academic leaders in adjacent arenas to determine which data (based on social determinants of health, economic impact, and more) were most relevant to the EFC geography, as well as to national efforts. This work contributed to the identification of regional gaps, progress, and concrete priorities.

FOOD HUB NETWORK GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT

FACILITATION AND LEADERSHIP | 2019 - 2021

Food Works Group provided guidance and support to EFC, established in February 2020. FWG contributed to the development of the Collaborative’s foundational agreement, standards, equity statement, and shared goals. These efforts created a robust network of food hubs from Maine to South Carolina, with the goals of increasing transactions and creating efficiencies through shared resources, supporting the efficient distribution of good food from family farms to markets, and ensuring the Collaborative’s values-driven approach could compete with the commodity agricultural system.