In a time when demand for integrity in the organic supply chain is stronger than ever, food hubs across our region are stepping up, and they’re not doing it alone. Food Connects is bringing this collaborative approach to food hubs through its partnership with the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
In 2024, the Vermont Food Hub mentorship model helped seven food hubs earn Organic certification under new federal rules. The program combined group learning, one-on-one coaching, site visits, and mock inspections, creating a dynamic space where peers could share strategies, troubleshoot common obstacles, and build collective confidence.
As McKenna, the Food Hub Director at Food Connects, puts it, “That mentorship was a game-changer. It saved time, built trust, and reminded us that we’re stronger when we learn together.”
In 2025, Food Connects took it one step further, expanding this model beyond Vermont to other food hubs in partnership with TOPP. By leveraging connections through national food hub networks and programs like the Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety and Farm to Institution, Food Connects has become a key resource hub for food hubs grappling with new USDA Organic regulations. These regulations, which now encompass many food hubs and distributors, necessitate a new level of understanding, strategy, and support to remain compliant with National Organic regulations.
Through training webinars (like those hosted with the Eastern Food Hub Collaborative, which reached over 15 food hubs across the country), conference presentations, technical assistance calls, and informational outreach through listservs, McKenna is helping other food hub operators access the clarity and resources they need. That includes:
Breaking down regulatory changes
Helping hubs assess whether they need organic certification
Providing example Organic System Plans
Offering tools like flowcharts and prep guides
Connecting hubs to local inspectors
Introducing them to the TOPP mentorship program
And for those feeling overwhelmed? McKenna is just a call away. “Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to shift from confusion to clarity. I love helping food hubs feel empowered instead of intimidated by these changes,” she says.
What makes this work so meaningful, McKenna shares, is the sheer diversity and creativity of the people involved. “There are so many different ways of running a food hub. Every day, I get to learn from amazing humans solving tough challenges in really innovative ways. It’s a privilege to help them maintain compliance while staying true to their mission. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this community.”
As Food Connects continues to build bridges between food hubs, regulatory bodies, and each other, their work stands as a reminder: transitioning to organic doesn't have to be a solo mission. With mentorship, connection, and support, it becomes a shared journey, one that strengthens the integrity of our food systems and uplifts the people who nourish them.