The local food industry is navigating one of its most challenging periods in recent memory. Shifts in federal funding, changing grant landscapes, and tighter operating budgets are putting pressure on farms, food hubs, and markets across the country. We’ve felt it in our conversations with prospective customers, and we’ve heard […]
3 Financial Blind Spots Holding Farms and Food Hubs Back | Local Food Marketplace Whether you’re running a farm, managing a food hub, or both, you keep track of your numbers. But keeping track and having true financial visibility are two very different things. Most of the operations we work […]
Planning ahead just got a whole lot easier. With Storefront Pre-Orders in LFM’s latest release, you can start selling products before they’re available, giving your customers more flexibility and helping you plan with confidence. Whether it’s seasonal products, special events, or large buyers planning ahead, Pre-Orders make it simple to […]
It’s a familiar moment for many farms and food hubs: CSA season is approaching and your shares aren’t quite full. At this stage, the strategy shifts. What works in the off-season (brand awareness, storytelling, audience growth) won’t move fast enough now. We spoke with Anna Larsen, a marketing strategist who has […]
In 2020, the entire economy shifted for local farmers. For one community in Oregon, that shift became the catalyst for something new. Building a Local Food Hub in a Time of Change Moondog Farm began with simple roots, growing food and serving its local community. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
Strong food hubs don’t just provide a marketplace, they build systems that help producers succeed over time. From onboarding and technical support to ongoing data-driven conversations, the way a food hub works with producers can make a meaningful difference in sales, sustainability, and farmer confidence. High Country Food Hub is […]
Fifth Crow Farm is a values-based, diversified organic farm in Pescadero, California, grounded in a deep commitment to sustainable land stewardship and community food systems. For nearly two decades, they have been feeding their community through a mix of CSA, farmers markets, restaurants, and grocery accounts. But for founder Teresa Kurtak, the real turning point […]
Moving your wholesale business online is one of the best ways to streamline operations, reduce order errors, and grow revenue. Still, many farmers and food hubs find that getting wholesale buyers to change their ordering habits can be a challenge. The key is to make the transition simple, clearly explain […]
Wholesale can be a game-changer for farms and food hubs — bringing larger orders, steadier revenue, and stronger customer relationships that boost your visibility in the community. But if you’re still juggling spreadsheets, emails, and manual data entry, the extra work can overshadow the benefits. Bringing your wholesale online changes […]
Food as Medicine programs benefit greatly from purchasing local food, which tends to be more nutrient dense and creates stronger and more sustainable food systems within the communities they serve. Food as Medicine programs can also be a nice addition to the portfolio of a local farm or food hub, […]