Rules to Reality: This program, a collaboration with Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension, interprets complicated food safety regulations for small farms. In response to the pandemic, the training modules will all be offered by on-line video. 

Online Recordkeeping: This effort takes current templates used by federal and state agencies and customizes them for individual farms. When completed, it will eliminate unnecessary and confusing records that don’t apply to every farm, and include a reminder system and corrective advice. 

Drive through markets: Local Food Hub will offer the drive through markets year round for the foreseeable future, providing a revenue source for dozens of small farms and value-added producers. 

Cost share: Local Food Hub will continue to manage funds to assist farms in covering some of the costs associated with receiving food safety certification. 

Collective purchasing: Since its founding, Local Food Hub has offered its partner farms the opportunity to acquire boxes at bulk discount pricing through a collective purchasing program.

Virginia Black Farmer Directory:  Local Food Hub is developing an interactive, searchable directory that thoughtfully lifts up the stories of Black farmers and gives them a great deal of control over how to present themselves and their products.   

Providing Virginia farmers with the necessary training and technical assistance relies on support from individual donors. If you would like to help build a resilient and sustainable local food system, please donate today, or contact Portia Boggs at (434) 430-5548 or portia@localfoodhub.org.