A federal study that concludes regional food hubs are emerging as important economic models is welcome news to those hoping to develop a food hub serving southeastern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire.
A food hub is a facility that oversees the storage, processing, distribution and marketing of locally produced food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently studied clusters of food hubs in the Midwest and Northeast and found that the average hub has annual sales of nearly $1 million and creates about 13 jobs.
Carl Mailler, project coordinator for the Great Falls Food Hub, told the Brattleboro Reformer, that the study reflects a growing understanding of local food issues. The groups working to start the Great Falls Food Hub hope to have a plan in place by June.
The owners of Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant are seeking a court order that would prevent the state of Vermont from closing down the plant until courts have ruled on a lawsuit about whether or not the state has the authority to shut the plant down when it’s current operating license expires next year.