Green Circle Food Hub
The Green Circle Food Hub was formed by farmers in the early days of the 2020 pandemic, out of the tremendous need for collaboration and cooperation between farmers and food lovers.
We believe that a community of local farmers and food lovers, can inspire the change needed for better health and wellness of people and our planet, one ingredient at a time.
We are farmers, retailers and distributors of local, diverse ingredients operating out of a facility on Kendal Hills Farm in Orono, Ontario.
The services we provide:
- Aggregation: Bring together ingredients from multiple local farmers and producers in one location, making it more efficient for distribution.
- Distribution: Manage the logistics of getting locally produced food from the farm to various outlets, such as grocery stores, farmers' markets, restaurants, schools, or directly to homes.
- Market Access: Provide local farmers and producers with better access to markets that they might not be able to reach individually, thereby increasing their sales opportunities.
- Community Engagement: Encourage connections between local producers and consumers, creating a sense of community around food, and supporting the local economy.
- Education: Offer educational content and resources to raise awareness about the benefits of local food, sustainable farming practices, and the importance of supporting local agriculture.
- Storage and Processing (not yet, but hopefully soon!): Provide facilities for storage and, in some cases, basic processing of local products to extend their shelf life or add value.
Why is a Food Hub needed?
- Supporting Local Economies: By connecting local farmers and producers with consumers, we contribute to the economic development of the local community. We provide local farmers with new markets and opportunities for sales, helping to keep revenue within the region. This, in turn, strengthens the economic resilience of the community and supports the livelihoods of local farmers and food producers.
- Enhancing Food Security: We play a role in improving food security by creating more reliable and diverse local food sources. By facilitating the distribution of a variety of products from different local producers, we reduce dependence on centralized, long-distance food supply chains. This diversification helps communities become more resilient to external shocks, such as disruptions in transportation or global supply chain issues.
- Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Practices: We prioritize sourcing from local, sustainable, and environmentally friendly producers. By doing so, we encourage and promote sustainable farming practices that reduce the ecological impact of food production. This includes supporting practices such as organic farming, reduced pesticide use, and smaller-scale, environmentally conscious agricultural methods. The emphasis on sustainability benefits both the environment and the long-term health of local ecosystems.
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