The Health Foundation of Central Mass

36 R ising rates of food insecurity is one of the most critical health issues of our times. e lack of access to nutritious food significantly impacts one's ability to learn and contribute productively to the wellbeing and economy of a region. In 2012, 12% of the Worcester County population received food assistance from the Worcester County Food Bank and its network of food pantries. In 2013, 36% of those were children under the age of 18 and 11% were age 65 or older. Looking to address food insecurity in Worcester County, the Regional Environ- mental Council (REC) submitted a Round 4 Synergy Initiative grant application to explore the creation of a regional food hub in Worcester in 2014. A food hub offers a way to expand access to nutritious food choices while also sup- porting local food producers. Food hubs generally coordinate key logistical func- tions such as the aggregation and storage of produce; processing, oen including the production of value-added products; mar- keting; and distribution. Food hubs can help eliminate barriers that make it difficult for small farmers and producers to meet the requirements of institutional or retail buyers. Another significant benefit is that this model can sell directly to consumers through retail outlets or mobile markets. Around the same time that REC submit - ted its proposal, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce (WRCC) ap- proached e Health Foundation of Cen- tral Massachusetts with an interest in de- veloping a food processing center like the W estern Massachusetts Food Processing Center in Greenfield. During his lieutenant governor days, WRCC president and CEO Tim Murray had visited that center and le impressed by how it operated. During the application process, e Health Foundation suggested that the two organizations join efforts, believing that the two ideas were complementary and that a shared leadership model would strengthen the proposal. e result was the launch of the Worcester Regional Food Hub. Its pilot ac- tivities centered on food justice, workforce development, and economic development. As the project progressed, the Food Hub strategically narrowed its focus to aggrega- tion, marketing, and distribution services to connect local farmers to local markets and institutional partners and a commer- cial kitchen incubator program, which provided access to a low-cost commercial kitchen and related culinary and business training opportunities. Mr. Murray said, "When e Health Foundation funded the Worcester Region- al Food Hub, it created hundreds of new food entrepreneurs and brick and mortar businesses who can be a resource and part- ner with regional farms. ey need that level of partnership for sustainability." e Health Foundation served as the primary funder for many years and pro- vided intense behind-the-scenes support, offering guidance to Food Hub leadership, assisting with identifying potential loca- tions, consultants, and funding opportu- nities, and leading the Food Hub Advisory Board comprised of industry experts and community leaders. For example, e Health Foundation encouraged the Food Hub to apply for an Urban Agenda Grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Develop- ment and played a key role in draing the proposal and designing the program. e "Launching Diverse Food Entrepre- neurs" program provided ServSafe Manag- er training, access to a commercial kitchen free of charge, business plan development support, seed funding, networking oppor- tunities, and market access. Variations of Worcester Regional Food Hub: Strengthening the Local Food System and Economy Timeframe: 2015 – 2023 Lead Organizations: Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce; Regional Environmental Council Total Amount Funded: $2.8 million The Food Hub by the numbers: • Helped launch 100 plus new food businesses, providing kitchen space and technical assistance • Aggregated and distributed produce from 50 plus farms and food producers throughout New England • Sells to 150 institutional buyers, including 100 Massachusetts public schools • Secured $4.5 million in federal, state, and local funding for its new headquarters at Union Station in Worcester and broke ground in March 2024 SYNERGY INITIATIVE - ROUND 4

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