Interview with USDA

Last week, we interviewed Jim Barham of the USDA. Questions focused on how regional food hubs were truly affecting farmers.  We also discussed funding, assessing the gaps in the market and research, policy prescriptions, and failed food hubs. The conversation with Jim was one of the most informative providing guidance on how to sift through the information we have gathered. Included in the paper is a section on the failed food hubs which will highlight the “what not to do’s” when starting a food hub. The failed food hub case studies were reviewed this past weekend.  Jim also provided information on potential funding opportunities that food hubs can tap into. One such funding program is the Farmer’s and Local Food Promotion program, which just received an additional $15 million expansion for market intermediaries. 

Another major point that he highlighted was that foods hubs will soon be required to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act. When this piece of legislation enters into effect food hubs will be required to be GAP certified. Assistance will be provided to growers in order meet the GAP standard.  For example, there will be a pilot program for groups of farmers to work together in order to insure that they are all meeting the GAP standards and to potentially reduce the costs of complying with the program.  This means that facilities will need to be up-to-date and that food hubs may need to find the resources to help farmers they wish to source from. Over all, Mr. Barham highlighted that food hubs have been particularly beneficial to mid-size farms.

In terms of a plan for the remainder of our time, Blake & I have entered into the writing phase of our project. We will have a very rough draft complete by April 20^th for Dr. Nicholson.