Food hubs are actual or virtual spaces through which food is collected and distributed to processors, retailers, restaurants, or other organizations. They can also provide space for other food-related activities including food preparation, handling and/or processing, education and skill-building, and increasing food access.

With generous funding from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, the Nourishing Communities research group has recently completed a series of in-depth case studies of food hubs in Ontario. These case studies tell the stories of innovative food hubs from across the province, and provide insights into what makes a food hub successful, and how these businesses and organizations help build more sustainable, local food systems.

In Northern Ontario, the food hub case study work was led by Dr. Connie Nelson and her team at Lakehead University. Here is a look at what they found.

Reports from Eastern and Southcentral Ontario will be coming soon!