Multiplier

While Wholesale Buyers Know There Is Consumer Demand for Regionally Grown Products,they Usually Rely on Highly Consolidated Supply Chains,and Can Be Resistant to Changing Their Procurement Practices to Prioritize Local Sourcing. Their Sourcing Priorities Focus Heavily on Low Costs,efficiency,scale,and Predictability,which Can Be Major Barriers to Entry for Smaller Producers. the Project Will Benefit an Estimated 270 Small and Midsize Farms and Ranches and Values- Aligned Food Hubs Throughout Northern California,by Increasing Their Connections and Relationships With Wholesale Buyers and Increasing Their Product Sales to Those Buyers. the Majority of the Project Beneficiaries Are Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers,most of Whom Are Latinx Farmers,and Many Suffered Revenue Losses Due to COVID-19 Restaurant and Business Closures That Disrupted Wholesale Markets. Project Goals Include Fueling the Long-term Economic Viability of Small Socially Disadvantaged Local Producers,regional Food Hubs,and Farmer-led Aggregators,and Increasing the Availability of Regionally Produced Sustainable and Regenerative Products. With This Project,kta Intends to Provide a Model of Value Chain Coordination Coupled With Targeted Farm Business Advising That Can Be Scaled and Replicated by Allies in Other Regions to Support Small Producers and Increase Consumer Access to Locally Produced Agricultural Products.