When USDA Agricultural Marketing Services approached the University of Vermont and Michigan State University to cooperate on a toolkit very specifically designed for food hub operators, we didn’t yet grasp the depth and breadth of knowledge a food hub operator needs to cultivate in order to wear the variety of Hats needed for food hub success. Through this project we were continually impressed and inspired by the real-world experience the food hub advisors shared. It is our hope that their lessons-learned in leading multi- faceted organizations, each with unique challenges and paths, provides the insight you will need now and in the future.

It is both an enormous responsibility and a deeply rewarding opportunity to operate a food hub. You are working at the juncture where local food can more easily get into the hands of eaters, catalyzing local and regional food systems growth, promoting food and agricultural literacy, and creating opportunities for communities to connect with one another and to their local food system.

No matter what Hat you’re wearing, we hope that this overview of food hub operator essentials will help guide you through questions to ask, ways to get connected to systems of support, and resources to support your leadership. So, if you have made it all the way through this document without yet listening to the podcast series, we suggest that you head to the episodes now and listen when you need a moment of inspiration.

Thank you for your dedication and hard work in strengthening local food systems. Your efforts to support small farms, increase access to healthy foods, and build resilient communities are truly invaluable. The time you’ve taken to engage with this toolkit is appreciated and we hope it serves as a helpful guide in your ongoing work. Your leadership and innovation play a critical role in shaping a more sustainable, nimble, and resilient food landscape in the U.S. Keep pushing forward and know that your impact is felt far beyond the farms and markets you support.