Appalachian Sustainable Development

This Project Will Initiate the Aggregation and Distribution of Meat Products via Appalachian Sustainable Development S (ASD) Appalachian Harvest Food Hub, Expanding Existing Markets in Collaboration With Current Producers, Existing Facilities, and Established Collaborators. the Market Demand Already Exists Through School Systems and Local Retailers and Is Expected to Grow as Regenerative Agriculture, Animal Welfare, Healthier Meats, and Local Regional Food System Resilience Become Increasingly Important to Consumers. Project Activities Include Expanding Asd Training to Include Support for Meat Producers, Including Production Practices, Food Safety, and Meeting Brand, Product, Packaging, and Certification Standards Building and Managing Markets for Meat and Coordinating Delivery Logistics. This Project Will Increase Markets for Regional Beef Producers, Including Those Utilizing Environmentally Sustainable Production Practices Such as Grass Finishing and Silvopasture. Expected Projectoutcomes Include Increased Regional Food Security and Increased Food Hub Sales Volume, Profit, and the Number of Year Round Offerings, Benefiting Consumers, Farmers, and the Local Economy. This Project Will Also Play a Critical Role in Making Deliveries to Small Rural Purchasers (e.g., School Systems and Small Retailers) Financially Viable, as It Will Increase the Value and Volume of Each Delivery, Ensuring These Mid Tier Markets Are Serviceable Over the Long Term. Another Outcome of This Project Will Be to Lay the Foundation for Substantial Expansion of Regenerative Agriculture Practices and the Premium Pricing Connected to Them by End Use Customers and Major Retailers. Documentation of This Project Will Provide a Template for Other Organizations to Replicate and Will Include Operational Procedures and a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Plan.