Consultant Anthony Flaccavento talks with Lawrence area residents after a meeting Monday night at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. (Photo credit: KHI News Service)
Northeast Kansas farmers are ready to kick their production up a notch and businesses are ready to buy more of the local fruits, vegetables and specialty crops they produce. That’s the conclusion reached by a yearlong study into the feasibility of a 16-county “food hub” in the region. The study was carried out by Virginia-based consultant Anthony Flaccavento. He says expanding the demand for local food beyond farmers’ markets and buying clubs won’t be easy. But the potential is there.
By year five, the study says food hub farmers could be generating revenues of $2.3 million supplying area grocery stores, restaurants and schools with fresh produce.