The local food community in the western maryland region is emerging from the substantial upheaval caused by the covid-19 global pandemic

Wholesome harvest CO-OP (WHC) is a consumer cooperative grocery store and commercial kitchen in a rural multi-county and TRI-state region, designated as low income and low food access by the USDA economic research service. WHC opened in late 2018,and was still establishing itself in the community when the pandemic HIT. With the support of previous lfpp funds, WHC remained open for much of the pandemic. However, revenue dropped substantially and WHC was faced with the same challenges as other small local businesses. Wholesome harvest CO-OP: regenerating and integrating economic-food systems in northern appalachia is a 2021 lfpp implementation grant that will support the economic and social recovery of the local food community through our collectively-owned retail/kitchen space. WHC will build on accomplishments of its previous lffp grant by increasing member-owner and consumer engagement in local food networks, strengthening vendor relationships and local food supply chains, and increasing entrepreneurial activity by leveraging the commercial kitchen as a resource. Since 2018,WHC has become a recognizable name in the local food community by more than doubling our number of member owners, nearly tripling the number of local agricultural vendors, and making healthy food more accessible to snap beneficiaries. We are confident that with lfpp implementation funding we will continue to build strong partnerships and revenue streams to fuel economic sustainability for the local food future in northern appalachia.