GREENFIELD — By this time next year, Hancock County farmers could have another option when it comes to selling the fruits of their labor.
Purdue Extension is investigating the feasibility of a food hub in Central Indiana. While the nearly 200 food hubs across the country differ in size and purpose, they ultimately help farmers connect with an expanded group of consumers through virtual matchmaking, wholesale aggregation or direct-to-consumer sales.
During public meetings held in Hamilton, Hancock and Henry counties this week, Hancock County Purdue Extension Educator Roy Ballard said he heard an interest expressed in all three options.
“Based on what we’ve heard from farmers, there is an interest in several different levels,” he said. “We’ve heard almost equal representation for those three styles.”
Ballard received a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant to conduct the feasibility study, which is still in the early stages. Consultant Sarah Aubrey of Prosperity Ag Energy Resources will continue to collect feedback from producers, consumers and distributors before putting together a final report.
Ballard said it is too early to tell what a Central Indiana food hub would look like, but he confirmed there is enough interest to support one at some level.
About a dozen crop producers gathered at the Hancock County Purdue Extension office Wednesday to discuss the concept.
Many seemed interested in options that would provide direct-to-consumer sales – a step up from the farmers market – and an option that would allow multiple farmers to combine their products in order to sell large quantities to distributors.
“Farmers markets just aren’t feasible if you have a family or value your time,” said Drew Cleveland, who works full time and farms a small operation in Farmland on the side. “For smaller producers, I think this could be a big benefit.”
Ballard pointed out that a hub could also help farmers with branding and marketing, as well as creating value-added products. Some food hub models include some light processing.
“I think it’s going to be important to add value to the raw product,” Ballard said. “Indiana corn tastes pretty dog gone good in the winter if you have it in the freezer, but most people aren’t going to do that. Maybe we can figure out how to do that for them.”
Wholesale aggregation and processing is likely to be a long way down the road. Ballard said it’s more likely that a Central Indiana food hub will start small, either online or with a small physical sales area. Aggregation, wholesale, distribution and other larger efforts will come after support and fundraising for it grows.
After the study is finished and presented in August, a business and marketing plan will be developed. Ballard said that should be finished by the end of the year. As early as the 2013 growing season, Ballard said Hancock County farmers could have access to some sort of food hub.
Most likely it will be a virtual food hub that matches consumers looking for certain product with its producers. Ballard has already applied for a grant to fund a virtual hub, which could be just the beginning of a larger effort.
“There’s a lot of ifs and maybes in there, but that’s what we hope at this point,” Ballard said.