eolfc 2013 greenbelt foundation - regional food hubs
DESCRIPTION
The Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference (EOLFC 2013) provided a great opportunity to share information, learn about success stories and gather information on innovative local food businesses, projects and best practices. The conference was organized by KEDCO (Kingston Economic Development Corporation) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Rural Affairs. The theme of the conference was Innovation Driving Local Food and it was held December 3, 2013 at the Ambassador Hotel in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Franco Naccarato of the Greenbelt Foundation talks about their research into Regional Food Hubs in Ontario.TRANSCRIPT
Food Hubs – Fuel For
A Regional Food System Franco Naccarato
Program Manager
Greenbelt Fund
@LocalFoodFranco
1
Local Food:
If you ask for it,
It will come.
3
• Understand where Food Hubs fit in the
food system
• Learn about a few different Ontario models
• Discover how Food Hubs can play a
bigger role in developing a Regional Food
System
Goals
Foodservice Distribution
Regional Hub Pilot Project
Pros vs Cons
6
Pros
• Efficient
• Less costly
• Increased
seasonality
• Increased variety
• Increased volume
Cons
• Prohibited access
• Focused on Price
• Loss of Freshness
• Limits Diversity
• Increased Food
Safety Risk
Distribution Models
8
Existing Food Hubs
9
• There are number of
different models in the
province
– Kawartha Ecological Growers
– 100 Mile Foodservice
– 100 KM Foods
– Wendy’s Mobile Market
Hybrid Model
10
• Fresh Start has operations
in Milton, London, Ottawa
• Each location can
generate a list of “regional”
partnerships
• Also enables Fresh Start
customers to access GFS’
larger local list including
dairy, meat and processed
foods
Ontario Food Terminal
11
Everybody wants one!
• Niagara/Hamilton
• SCOR
• Simcoe
• London
• Stratford
• Ottawa
This was BEFORE there was
funding.
12
• If you build it, will they come?
In short, NO
– Buyers have established networks that work, why would they
change them?
• Bricks and Motor costs outweigh the potential for profit.
– Research suggests using/leveraging existing infrastructure
What the Research Shows
13
• How do we encourage the development of food hubs,
but prevent the “me too” syndrome?
Find the Problem & Ask the Right Question
• How do we help farmers increase access to market?
Food Hub Grant Program
14
• There is no one silver bullet.
– Food hubs, terminals, co-operatives and processors all have a
role to play
• The Solution:
– A more integrated distribution system, that is flexible and can
accommodate small, medium and large producers.
– A system that allows farmers to distinguish themselves on
quality, methods of production and point of origin.
The Answer
Regional Food Hub Pilot
15
• Supply Chain Logistics Support
• Determine Operating Costs and Cost-Benefit of Value Added Services for Food Hubs
• Create a Business Model
• Conduct a Market Assessment
• Analyze Pilot Results
• Write a Case Study
16
It works!
17
Integrating Distribution
18
Integrating Distribution
19
Regional Food Distribution
Learn More
Twitter: #localfoodsolutions
@LocalFoodFranco
Find More Ontariofresh.ca
Franco Naccarato
Program Manager – Greenbelt Fund