GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) — Alachua County commissioners are exploring a new approach to bring fresh food to the community through a food hub system that could help farmers reach underserved communities.

The county consulted with New Venture Advisors for the first phase of the Fresh Food Pathways Program, spending over $960,000 to research whether a “food hub” could meet community needs. The initiative could benefit East Gainesville, which has been recognized for over a decade as a food desert due to the lack of fresh food and grocery stores.

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“The market research report told us the community told us there is a need for East Gainesville support to give them fresh and healthy produce,” said Bailey McClell

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