Food hub removes barriers and improves access to local food
Established in 2020, Boulder County Farmers Markets’ Food Hub connects local farmers, producers, and consumers in our community with a centralized, year-round marketplace for fresh, locally-grown and produced food products. By fostering a sustainable and resilient regional food system here in the Front Range, we are supporting local agriculture, reducing food miles, and expanding consumer access to high-quality, nutritious, and ethically produced food.
To get more local food in the hands (and bellies) of our neighbors, we work with a variety of individuals and organizations to provide locally-grown and nutritious food from our wide network of vetted producers. Whether you’re wanting to conveniently place an online order for your weekly groceries, looking to add a new perk to your employee wellness programs, or wanting to source more local food in your restaurant or kitchen, our Food Hub is here to help.
Supporting Food Access and Community Nutrition
We believe everyone deserves access to locally-grown, nutritious foods, and that when we can partner with local producers to fight food insecurity, it’s a win for everyone.
Our Food Hub supports several food access and nutritious programs, including custom orders for SNAP customers, a WIC delivery program, Farm to Early Care and Education (FTECE), and programs serving older adults in Boulder County and surrounding areas.
Our online store also accepts SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks for all eligible products, adding a convenient way to access your family’s benefits for fresh and nutritious foods.
An Online Alternative to Visiting the Farmers Market
While we would put “go to the farmers market” on the top of every weekend to-do list, many of us live near the mountains so that we can spend our weekends out of town adventuring. Others have kids sports games to attend, chores to get done, or sleep to catch up on. Whatever the reason may be, we get that not everyone can make it to the farmers market every week.
That is where our online store comes in. The ability to browse online, order, and pick up local goodies at the same curbside location each week brings a flexibility that allows more of our community to access fresh, local food. We offer four curbside pickup options in Boulder County at the following locations: the Boulder Public Library, MeCo Coffee Collective in Lafayette, Boulder County Farmers Markets’ Food Hub in Longmont, and our newest addition, the Longmont Social in the Prospect neighborhood of Longmont.
In addition to custom orders, we offer seasonal subscription boxes that allow customers to purchase eight weeks of curated, local groceries. These subscription boxes – like our popular Winter Market Share – add ease to your weekly meal planning, while breaking you out of your regular recipe rut.
This year, we’re offering a new subscription box for September and October that will feature the best of Colorado’s peak harvest.
Enjoy a base of seasonal produce such as pears, tomatoes, peppers, and more from local farms surrounding Boulder County and Western Slope orchards. For protein, choose from the vegetarian option for a rotating selection of local tempeh, beans, and quinoa, or the omnivore option for beef, pork, and lamb from local ranchers. Every seasonal subscription box will also include a variety of packaged products that will range from locally-roasted coffee, to flavorful hot sauces, and unique frozen foods.
Farm-to-Business Sales
Whether it’s for a one-time event or a weekly order, we offer a variety of options to help close the gap between farmers and the businesses who want to work with them. Our Food Hub has partnered with a variety of businesses ranging from nonprofit food pantries and large tech companies to get more local food into our community.
At Boulder County Farmers Markets, our mission is to strengthen our food system by supporting, promoting, and expanding access to locally grown and made products for all members of our community. Our Food Hub does just that by finding new and innovative ways to get products from local farmers, ranchers, and food producers into the hands of our neighbors.
