Overview
In 2012, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) endeavored to create a national resource that brought attention to the definition, role, and impact of the regional food hub on American agricultural markets. This collaboration created the Regional Food Hub Resource Guide which codified a unified understanding of the operations and needs of food hubs.
When the Regional Food Hub Resource Guide was published the research noted 168 food hubs across the US. According to the latest National Food Hub Survey conducted in 2021, there were over 400 known food hubs across the nation with active contact information to receive the survey. This is an annual average growth rate of 37% with a 58% total increase in food hubs across the U.S. over the last 10 years.
Thirteen years later, AMS, in partnership with the University of Vermont and Michigan State University, set out to build upon this knowledge of food hubs and understand the main roles of food hub operators and the progression of their work from start up, to expansion, to innovation. The project team assembled an advisory board of experienced food hub operators and industry professionals across the nation that helped develop a toolkit organized into four core areas – organizational development, producers and customers, operations, and partnerships.
Many Hats – A Food Hub Operator’s Toolkit is a central depot of resources that will support food hub leaders in the many roles they may play, and provide context, templates, and direct links so no matter the direction of their journey.
With interviews from food hub leaders, the project team created a four-episode podcast series called The Food Hub Podcast to support and inform the written toolkit.
Key Takeaways
1. Food hubs require multi-functional leadership—operators should be able to simultaneously manage logistics, business planning, and external partnerships.
2. Long-term sustainability is strongly tied to the ability to access startup capital, implement food safety protocols, and maintain adaptable business models.
3. Building robust producer networks through shared goals, values, and clear market commitments supports supply chain continuity.
Resources
Many Hats A Food Operators Toolkit – Executive Summary
Explore the toolkit and podcasts by clicking the link below https://localfoodeconomics.com/many-hats/
Publication Date
August 2025