4P FOODS - MID-ATLANTIC AND NORTHEAST US
OAK SPRINGS FOOD HUB SUMMIT FACILITATION
FACILITATION AND LEADERSHIP | 2019 - 2021
Food Works Group (FWG) joined forces with Local Food Hub to establish the Eastern Food Hub Collaborative. The mission of this network of food hubs is to open access to larger markets for small, sustainable farmers and equitable access to good food by leveraging best practices, financially sustainable transactions, shared resources, and transparency. In early 2020, FWG’s founding partner, Wendy Stuart, co-facilitated a gathering of 20 high-level stakeholders representing 14 food hubs to discuss opportunities for hub-to-hub trading and cooperation. The group, collectively representing nearly $27,000,000 in yearly sales of local food from almost 600 independently-owned farms and producers, reached a consensus to move forward with a joint agreement. Additionally, Wendy co-facilitated a second, virtual gathering of the Collaborative in February 2021.
REGIONAL FOOD PORT ASSESSMENT AND ECONOMIC IMPACT ON RURAL AGRIBUSINESS
STRATEGIC PLANNING | 2017 - 2019
In partnership with 4P Foods and Virginia’s Fauquier and Loudoun Counties, FWG conducted a feasibility study for a region-wide network to help scale food production, processing, and distribution of food in the Mid-Atlantic region. We led the research and analysis to determine which potential supply chain improvements could support progress toward a more efficient, equitable, and economically successful food system. Our conclusions were based on a literature review, online surveying of over 200 stakeholders across the supply chain, and interviews with more than 100 food systems participants, including growers, processors, retailers, distributors, institutional buyers, and value chain coordinators. The analysis illuminated the need for more physical infrastructure and a robust technological backbone to facilitate greater collaboration among stakeholders. Read the Report here.