North Coast Opportunities’ MendoLake Food Hub has been awarded “Food Business of the Year” by the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), a statewide nonprofit building sustainable food and farming systems through policy advocacy and programming.
Each year, one organization is recognized by CAFF for their “proven commitment to local food, sustainability, and supporting family farmers by forging strong and equitable partnerships between the farm and plate.”
Since 2013, The Food Hub has connected small farms in Lake and Mendocino Counties with markets, schools, and other wholesale buyers through their simple purchasing and distribution network, fostering a strong local food system and increasing access to fresh produce for residents.
During the pandemic, The Food Hub responded to growing food insecurity and demand for at-home grocery delivery by distributing produce and local food products directly to households. This was essential to maintaining the economic viability of small farms at a time when wholesale markets were drying up.
“I’ve been able to sell exclusively through The Food Hub, which makes marketing so much easier,” said small farm owner Sean Mooney. “Knowing The Food Hub was here was one of the reasons I decided to move back to the area. They have been a huge part of my business plan.”
The MendoLake Food Hub accepted their award in a virtual ceremony at CAFF’s California Small Farms Conference on March 2nd. To learn more about NCO MendoLake Food Hub, visit mendolakefoodhub.org.
[This archive item was originally published on Wednesday, March 9, 2022]
