The following is a list of published reports that the Alaska Food Hubs Working Group participants found relevant or inspirational:
- Hawai’i Food Hub Hui: A 2022 Guide to Hawai’i’s Food Hubs
- Delivering More than Food: Understanding and Operationalizing Racial Equity in Food Hubs (August 2020, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems)
- Frontier Food Hub Tool Kit (2019, National Center for Frontier Communities)
- 2021 National Food Hub Survey Report (2023, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems)
- How Feasible is a Food Hub for Northern Utah (2021, Crossroads Resource Center)
- Transportation Barriers and Recommendations: Lessons learned from building a food hub in Southeast Alaska (Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition)
And more to come…
These resources can provide valuable support and guidance for food hubs looking to start or grow their operations, navigate challenges, and contribute to building more resilient and sustainable food systems:
- Alaska Food Policy Council’s Food Systems Resources Collection: including the February 2024 Food Hub Recommendations Report
- USDA Local Food Directories: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers directories of local food hubs, farmers markets, on-farm markets, and other direct-to-consumer marketing outlets. These directories can help food hubs connect with producers and consumers in their area.
- National Good Food Network (NGFN): NGFN provides resources, webinars, and networking opportunities for food hubs and other local food enterprises. Their website offers a wealth of information on topics like business planning, food safety, and marketing.
- Wallace Center at Winrock International: The Wallace Center works to advance sustainable and equitable food systems. They offer resources, case studies, and toolkits for food hubs, including guides on aggregation, distribution, and market development.
- Local Food Systems Toolkit: Developed by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, this toolkit provides resources and best practices for building and strengthening local and regional food systems. It covers topics such as business planning, food safety, and marketing.
- State and Regional Food Hub Networks: Many states and regions have food hub networks or associations that provide support, networking opportunities, and resources for food hubs. Examples include the Michigan Food Hub Network and the New York State Food Hub Collaborative (and the Alaska Food Hubs Working Group)
- University Extension Programs: Land grant universities often have extension programs that offer resources and technical assistance for food hubs. These programs may provide training, research, and outreach on topics such as food safety, business development, and sustainable agriculture.
- Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Resources: The FDA offers resources and guidance for food hubs and other food businesses to comply with FSMA regulations. This includes training materials, fact sheets, and guidance documents on key FSMA requirements.
- Local Government and Economic Development Agencies: Local government agencies and economic development organizations may offer resources and support for food hubs, such as grants, technical assistance, and access to infrastructure.
- Food Policy Councils: Food policy councils work to shape food and agriculture policies at the local and regional levels. They may offer resources and support for food hubs, as well as opportunities for collaboration and advocacy. (In fact, this manual was made possible by the Alaska Food Policy Council)
- Check out their developing Islands & Remote Areas Business Center – Alaska Subregion Project