Augusta locally grown (ALG) seeks to connect producers to consumers at the local level

With 13 years of experience we have seen firsthand the shortfalls of our current food system and identified four primary needs: the lack of a central aggregation point, lack of business knowledge for area farmers, lack of fresh food access for low-income neighborhoods, and the disconnect between medicine and food as a healthcare solution. ALG will use funds for a feasibility study to determine best practices to increase farmer product support and community access with the availability of a new resource site, the hub. This 35,000 SQ FT building will involve expanding ALG's programs to make local food accessible and affordable in the exact same location as the harrisburg free family health clinic. Unlike most food hubs, this space will not solely focus on wholesales but will develop innovative, health-focused sales opportunities in creative partnership with farmers, educators, value-adders and healthcare professionals. ALG's space will consist of a teaching/incubator kitchen, online market food storage, food pharmacy, and the year-round location of the area's only fresh food access point. A feasibility study will allow for a workable plan to be implemented across the market area with all stakeholders input accounted for, thus allowing US the best use of the hub facility and partnerships. The implementation plan from the feasibility study will allow ALG to increase point of sale opportunities for producers, business access to healthy food options for vulnerable consumers, and food education for consumers.