A feasibility study will begin soon for creation of a food hub to develop markets for locally grown food in the region, USDA Rural Development announced Wednesday.
“Increasingly, consumers are educating themselves on the health and nutritional benefits of eating locally grown products. This trend is resulting in increased identification of local vendors and the creation of farmers markets to allow local foods to be sold. Food hubs are another mechanism for improving access to locally-grown foods,” said Anita “Janie” Dunning, USDA Rural Development state director. “Food hubs allow a larger number of vendors with a larger variety of products to market to consumers. MSU’s Fruit Experiment Station is involved in the research and development of better agricultural practices and products. The experiment station is familiar with the regional agriculture economy and knows the stakeholders critical to determining the potential for a food hub in southwest Missouri. We look forward to the results of their work.”
Locally, the Houston Farmers Market has expanded to two days weekly at the Lone Star Plaza and has shown much growth.
To begin the food hub feasibility study, the MSU Fruit Experiment Station is forming a steering committee that will include producers, lenders, regulatory officials, farmers market managers, Future Farmers of America instructors, food distributors and public institution (healthcare and education) administrators. An informational meeting is planned for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the MSU Mountain Grove campus at 9740 Red Springs Road. The meeting is in Room 106 of Faurot Hall.
Representatives of the Houston Farmers Market, a project adopted by Downtown Houston Inc., will attend the meeting.