Program Manager Debbie Gibbs

CONTACT:

277-4891

Technical Manager Joan Clappier

273-8586

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nevada County Food Hub organizers want input from local restaurants/ caterers

Imagine if most of the restaurants and catering companies in Nevada County served locally grown food on the menu.

Visitors with a palate for fine regional cuisine would travel far and wide to this community to get a taste. In turn, the demand for local agriculture from farms and ranches would be sustained in a way like never before.

Is that possible?

That’s the dream behind a local food hub that is just now getting off the ground. The goal of a Nevada County food hub is to provide one-stop shopping for buyers while boosting sales of locally grown food for farmers.

A survey of local restaurants is the first step to identifying gaps in the current local food system landscape. As more restaurants and catering companies share their voice and chime in, organizers of the food hub can better identify and meet the local community’s needs and help to put Nevada County on the map as a local food destination.

“In my view, food is the most important purchase we make for our health. I hope the hub expands markets for today’s talented and committed agricultural producers and encourages new ones, so more people get the benefit of fresh, local products,” said the Food Hub’s Program Manager Debbie Gibbs.

The survey is available online now at In January, a stakeholder meeting will be held with interested restaurant owners, chefs, open-air market food vendors and caterers.

Survey questions will gauge customer demand for local food, where and how restaurant owners purchase their ingredients and how much interest there is for a food hub.

In October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Nevada County Grown a $25,000 planning grant to design an agricultural producers’ food hub in Nevada County.

“We want to make this hub sustainable,” said Food Hub Technical Manager Joan Clappier.

With community feedback and participation, food hub organizers are on track to have a business plan, market analysis and budget complete by March 30. With a plan in place, organizers hope to apply for a $100,000 implementation grant, with a required $33,000 in matching funds or an in-kind contribution.

Restaurant owners, chefs, open-air market food vendors and caterers can take the restaurant survey, by visiting:

Contact food hub organizers at: