Frederick County farmers produce almost $130 million in agricultural products annually. With such healthy production numbers why is there little local produce in our public schools, universities, restaurants, business cafeterias and hospitals, and only token racks of local food at grocery stores? Frederick (City) is the second largest city in the state, offers a diversity of unique restaurants and
is a major tourist attraction for dining. The not for profit organization, Community FARE, intends to facilitate marketing and moving local produce and products to market places in Frederick County and beyond through the establishment of a local food hub in Frederick City. Community FARE’s Mission:
To diversify, expand and safeguard a local healthy food economy that will preserve farmland, its integrity and biodiversity, in Frederick and surrounding counties, and ensure food access to the regional population. In response to the growing interest in having access to local healthy food, Community FARE has begun to lay the groundwork for the development of the Frederick Food Hub, a locally based business providing valuable services to local farmers by expanding markets for their products. This will allow farmers/growers to scale up operations while providing Frederick County residents and institutions with quality locally-grown food options year-round. A December 2014-Febr 2015 Community Food Assessment (CFA) survey of growers in Frederick, Carroll and Washington Counties revealed that of the 55 farmers who responded 52% make only 25% of their living wage in farming. A majority of producers grow vegetables, fruits and eggs and sell them at farmer’s markets. Approximately 73% followed either organic practices, organic but not certified or a mix of the two. Over 72% reported that if demand for their products were greater they would expand production; the total land available, yet not in production, among the growers who responded is 1051 acres. When asked what one thing would be most valuable in making their farm operation more profitable 47% answered “marketing”. Read more at: http://l-cpf.org/community-fare/). Community FARE will carry out a CFA market survey/feasibility study, interview to learn from existing food hubs, assess existing software for food hubs and select one, develop a 5 year business plan for the Frederick Food Hub, set up the business structure for the hub and initiate work for year one (the 2016 growing season). Please contact us if you are interested in participating. Community FARE
4 E Church Street
Frederick MD 21701
(240) 626 5209
[email protected]
