This project will increase access to local food in workplaces and neighborhoods, build equitable access and distribution infrastructure, and support food sovereignty and economic development for…

This project will increase access to local food in workplaces and neighborhoods, build equitable access and distribution infrastructure, and support food sovereignty and economic development for underserved communities in three different geographies in the united states.social barriers, wealth disparity, knowledge gaps, and lack of coordination in the regional value chain can result in limited access to local food markets for members of disadvantaged communities and for the employees of workplaces and institutions in the same city or geography. Our approach is to facilitate a shared online market model serving both workplaces and surrounding communities, built on the unique strengths and interdependencies of each community s local food system and using a powerful, proven, purpose-built open source platform solution. In this project, open food network USA will partner with organizations from three historically excluded or underserved communities who will receive subawards to implement online food hubs that support food access and food businesses, center culture and relationships in supply chain operations and wealth creation, include institutions and nearby workplaces in supporting community food infrastructure, and improve health outcomes for everyone, while capturing knowledge and best practices for the benefit of other communities doing similar work.project beneficiaries include small scale producers and local aggregators, community members, workplace employees in or near subject communities, and community-based organizations who will participate in the accomplishment of the project s four goals: expanded local market participation new businesses technology support and evaluation, learning, and reproducibility.