It's not easy being the middle man, especially in low-margin food businesses. Farmers of course need to make fair wages from their products, and consumers on the other end need those products to be affordable.

That's why Food Connects, a regional food hub, chose to become a nonprofit organization in their efforts moving food throughout the community. As a nonprofit organization, Food Connects can focus not just on the bottom line, but on building relationships with growers on the one hand and markets on the other, bringing food to places that might not otherwise be prioritized.

They can take the time to understand how the farmers and food producers they source from want to grow their businesses and reach new markets, providing technical assistance to meet specific needs. They can be a part of the conversation for how to re-center local and regional foods in our communities and explore creative ways to do just that!

Learn more about Food Connects at www.foodconnects.org