Aggregation & Distribution
Movement of products, including the gathering and delivery, to markets and buyers.
This sector includes all community projects, businesses, etc. that involve the aggregation and distribution of food to markets and buyers (wholesaling, distribution, warehousing, transportation, restaurants, and retail markets).
The food system is comprised of five different sectors ranging from cultivation and harvesting to conservation and stewardship, typically viewed as a cycle or process. Similarly, food systems are embedded in our communities and both impact, and are impacted by, community assets such as our economies, natural and built environment, and equitable resource and decision making abilities. Overall, these complex systems influence the potential benefits and challenges for food access, sovereignty, business viability and general food supply and consumption.
In 2023, we revised this framework based on literature review from indigenous food systems, partner communities and Universities, Local Food Leader and Community Food Systems certified partners, and the 2023 Resilient Community Food Systems: Intersectional analysis across impacts, values, and organizational capacity dissertation from Dr. Courtney Long. This led to the newly adopted framework of five food system sectors. Because of the nested aspect of our food systems, despite what scale we may be working in, we recognize that food systems work within larger complex community systems.
The table below represents tactics included in the Aggregation and Distribution sector.
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Community Supported Agriculture |
Diversified agriculture businesses that have primary sales through membership and direct distribution of products. This allows the business to have shared risk with consumers. |
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Food Boxes |
Aggregated products from multiple farmers (meat, vegetables, fruit, etc.) which are distributed to individual residences or community locations. This allows customers to have access to multiple types of products rather than sourced from one type of farm. |
|
Food Hubs |
Food business or organization that aggregates, distributes, and markets local and regional products to consumers. Typically, food hubs offer the next scale of distribution when compared to CSA and Food Box programs and sell to restaurants, grocers, and other wholesale retail locations. |
|
Farmers Markets |
Innovative community spaces operating as a market for farm and food vendors, where individuals socialize and purchase products. Markets range in management styles and many also offer various food assistance programs to support food access for customers. |
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Auctions |
Organization that allows consumers and businesses to purchase from local or regional producers. Typically purchases are at a larger quantity of products and sold at a wholesale price. |
|
Cooperatives |
Co-ownership of a business where each individual shares responsibility for decisions. Cooperatives can exist across the food system sectors, but commonly are seen within grocers and distribution models for products. Many cooperatives are developed due to a particular value or need in a community. |
|
Food Banks |
Non-profit organizations that aggregate, store, and distribute dry, cool, and frozen goods to a variety of customers. The primary goal being food security for a particular region. Food banks are the primary purchaser or gleaner of product and then store and distribute to partner agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. |
|
Institutional Procurement |
Schools and large-scale institutions procuring local and regional foods that are typically then used in dining centers or educational programs to teach staff, clients, patients, and students about their agriculture, food, health and nutrition. |
Video Highlight: Food Hubs
Food business or non-profit that connect consumers, buyers, producers, and food businesses by managing aggregation, distribution, and marketing of products from local producers. Typically food hubs offer the next scale of distribution to CSA and Food Box programs and sell to restaurants, grocers, and other wholesale retail locations.
