FoodHub
What is FoodHub?
Thanks to FoodHub, food buyers can walk to their computers, type in the word "raspberry" and quickly access a list of regional raspberry producers. They can sort their search results by specific attributes, check out various raspberry producer profiles, send one a message through FoodHub's message center, and arrange for delivery — either direct or through a mainline distributor. Never before has that raspberry producer been so highly visible to the region's food buyers. And never before have food buyers had it so easy.
If you’re in the business of food, someone on FoodHub (www.food-hub.org) is waiting to meet you! FoodHub gathers producers, professional food buyers, and the associates that serve them both, in one dynamic marketplace and interactive directory. Large or small, organic or conventional, direct or distributed — FoodHub connects food professionals of all kinds in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and California.
Why join FoodHub?
- Because you want to spend 10 seconds, not 10 hours, finding the perfect peach.
- Because when your next potential customer searches for your product, you want your name to pop up on the screen.
- Because there has never been more interest in buying and selling regionally produced food.
FoodHub offers:
A Comprehensive Catalog of Buyers and Sellers
FoodHub engages the entire food community, including retail grocers, schools, institutional buyers, caterers, restaurants, bakeries, food processors, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, fishermen, vintners, artisan producers of specialty items, and more.
Robust Profiles
See and be seen. Share your story. A FoodHub online business profile allows potential customers to get to know you and your business intimately. You, in turn, can make the best use of your time by identifying and soliciting precisely the customers you want.
Sophisticated Searches
With over 1,000 products in FoodHub's database and extensive categories that help you narrow your search based on particular needs and preferences, you'll quickly and easily find what and who you are looking for.
Product Requests
Need something in particular? With FoodHub, buyers can post their product needs and easily and efficiently solicit bids from qualified responders. As one of those qualified responders in the right place at the right time, you'll have the opportunity to connect with a host of potential partners. And product requests are archived on FoodHub so that you can watch the market ebb and flow.
Streamlined Communication
Standardize and simplify your communication with customers or vendors by using FoodHub's message center. Quickly and easily send product updates and information about what is for sale this week to current and potential customers. Your messages will be stored on the site, making it simple to track your business interactions.
Project Partners and Funding
FoodHub is a social venture business of Ecotrust, made possible by the generous support and contributions of many.
We are particularly indebted to the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). We applaud their vision and collaborative spirit.
Resources to develop a detailed business plan, test the concept with potential users, and evaluate software applications were initially provided by the WK Kellogg Foundation, Bullitt Foundation, Newman's Own Foundation and USDA's Rural Business Enhancement Grant (RBEG) program.
To build FoodHub, Ecotrust received support from the Annenberg Foundation, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Farm Aid, Bill Healy Foundation, Newman's Own Foundation, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Russell Family Foundation, USDA's Rural Business Enhancement Grant (RBEG) program and the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Ecotrust also worked in close consultation and collaboration with a wide range of individuals and organizations. Idle curiosity, advice, letters of support, encouragement, constructive criticism, feedback on FoodHub's business model, and great collaborative goodwill were provided by a long list of colleagues. The list grows daily and is too numerable to list, but we thank you for generously sharing your time and insights.
For more information, contact:
503.467.0816 or toll free at 855-FOODHUB, or email
