The New Entry Food Hub aims to build long term economic self-reliance and food security among farmers in eastern Massachusetts and their communities, and to expand access to healthy and culturally appropriate foods in underserved areas through production of locally grown produce.
History
New Entry Food Hub, formerly known as World PEAS, began as a cooperative in 2005, with the goal to help beginning, immigrant, and refugee farmers connect with local consumers seeking fresh produce. Most participating farmers do not have a large enough volume of produce, a means of transportation, or the English language skills to effectively access markets and earn a living wage. By forming a cooperative, small, beginning, immigrant, and refugee farmers we’re able to combine their products to more efficiently and effectively connect with local consumers. In June 2013, World PEAS opened a physical warehouse space, transforming the program from a cooperative into a true Food Hub. In 2018, World PEAS Food Hub was renamed to The New Entry Food Hub in an effort to draw a better connection between The Food Hub and New Entry's overall mission to train new farmers and to help them successfully sell their produce. The New Entry Food Hub aggregates and distributes vegetables grown by beginning farmers who use organic growing practices. Additional fruits and vegetables are sourced from farms within 200 miles of Boston that use certified organic practices and integrated pest management. This produce serves CSA shareholders, schools, senior centers, food pantries, and institutions.
Services
The New Entry Food Hub aims to provide the following services to our program farmers and eastern Massachusetts communities:
• Direct market access for farmers through product aggregation and distribution
• Technical assistance for farmers on topics such as harvesting, packing, and marketing
• Access to sustainably grown, local fruits and vegetables through the New Entry CSA
• Ability for consumers to connect directly with their farmers, through newsletters, outreach, and farm tours.
