FoodHub has changed the way food buyers and sellers locate, connect, communicate, plan and execute exchanges of regional products in a sustainable way. The member-driven tool provides the most extensive database of regional buyers and sellers of varying levels, driving the local food community. For producers, it alleviates one of the biggest roadblocks -- connecting with big players for wholesale sales. Prior to FoodHub, regional buyer guides were large, printed volumes that became obsolete almost immediately; with the interactive tool, buyer and seller queries and profiles can be updated 24/7. Closer connections and better matches are made more than were ever possible with print directories. Intuitive usability, comprehensive search, and easy accessibility have perpetuated the hub's fast growth to 1,800 members in just over a year.

In ten months, we were able to complete the FoodHub website that currently supports a directory and exchange platform over 3,000 members. Audience research (interviews, testing, focus groups, informal chats) have played – and will continue to play – a major role in FoodHub’s evolution. Ongoing feedback coupled with the team’s desire to make an immediate impact with every upgrade leads to content and features that are most critical to the community at each stage of its evolution.