Food Hubs – Fuel For
A Regional Food System Franco Naccarato
Program Manager
Greenbelt Fund
@LocalFoodFranco
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Local Food:
If you ask for it,
It will come.
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• Understand where Food Hubs fit in the
food system
• Learn about a few different Ontario models
• Discover how Food Hubs can play a
bigger role in developing a Regional Food
System
Goals
Foodservice Distribution
Regional Hub Pilot Project
Pros vs Cons
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Pros
• Efficient
• Less costly
• Increased
seasonality
• Increased variety
• Increased volume
Cons
• Prohibited access
• Focused on Price
• Loss of Freshness
• Limits Diversity
• Increased Food
Safety Risk
Distribution Models
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Existing Food Hubs
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• There are number of
different models in the
province
– Kawartha Ecological Growers
– 100 Mile Foodservice
– 100 KM Foods
– Wendy’s Mobile Market
Hybrid Model
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• Fresh Start has operations
in Milton, London, Ottawa
• Each location can
generate a list of “regional”
partnerships
• Also enables Fresh Start
customers to access GFS’
larger local list including
dairy, meat and processed
foods
Ontario Food Terminal
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Everybody wants one!
• Niagara/Hamilton
• SCOR
• Simcoe
• London
• Stratford
• Ottawa
This was BEFORE there was
funding.
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• If you build it, will they come?
In short, NO
– Buyers have established networks that work, why would they
change them?
• Bricks and Motor costs outweigh the potential for profit.
– Research suggests using/leveraging existing infrastructure
What the Research Shows
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• How do we encourage the development of food hubs,
but prevent the “me too” syndrome?
Find the Problem & Ask the Right Question
• How do we help farmers increase access to market?
Food Hub Grant Program
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• There is no one silver bullet.
– Food hubs, terminals, co-operatives and processors all have a
role to play
• The Solution:
– A more integrated distribution system, that is flexible and can
accommodate small, medium and large producers.
– A system that allows farmers to distinguish themselves on
quality, methods of production and point of origin.
The Answer
Regional Food Hub Pilot
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• Supply Chain Logistics Support
• Determine Operating Costs and Cost-Benefit of Value Added Services for Food Hubs
• Create a Business Model
• Conduct a Market Assessment
• Analyze Pilot Results
• Write a Case Study
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It works!
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Integrating Distribution
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Integrating Distribution
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Regional Food Distribution
Learn More
Twitter: #localfoodsolutions
@LocalFoodFranco
Find More Ontariofresh.ca
Franco Naccarato
Program Manager – Greenbelt Fund
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