The Eastern Shore Food Hub will hold a series of information sessions in February throughout the Eastern Shore (details below) to present the concept of the Food Hub and seek input from local growers.
The Food Hub is a project of the Easton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) with the goal of increasing the profitability of the agriculture industry on the Delmarva Peninsula. Initial plans of the Hub are to provide marketing, branding, aggregation and distribution services for vegetable and fruit crops grown on the Shore and throughout the Delmarva.
“Our goal with the Food Hub is to further strengthen our agricultural economy on the Shore,” says Tracy Ward of the EEDC, “with the largest block of contiguous farmland in the Eastern US and a strong farming community, we are uniquely positioned to tap into fresh food markets from Washington to New York – this is a considerable economic opportunity we don’t want to miss out on.”
Increasing demand for local food in recent years has helped spur the growth of food hubs. According to the USDA there are over 300 food hubs in the United States with 62% of those starting operations less than five years ago. There are currently no food hubs in Delmarva.
Growers interested in the Eastern Shore Food Hub are encouraged to take an online survey here
Food Hub Information Sessions:
Cambridge – February 10, 6:30-8:30, Eastern Shore Hospital Center, Cambridge MD
Elkton – February 12, 6:30-8:30, Cecil County Government Building, Elkton, MD
Denton – February 17, 6:30-8:30, Caroline County 4H Park, Williams Building, 8230 Detour Rd, Denton, MD
Chestertown – February 19, 6:30-8:30, Kent County Public Library, Chestertown, MD
Easton – February 23, 6:30-8:30, Talbot County Community Center, Easton MD
Salisbury – February 25, 6:30-8:30, Wicomico County Cooperative Extension Building, Salisbury, MD
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