Appalachian Harvest Network Summary

Abingdon, Virginia US: Appalachian Harvest Network    www.asdevelop.org

 

Appalachian Sustainable Development--a Virgina-based nonprofit that generates innovative economic opportunities in Appalachian VA, KY and NC --created the Appalachian Harvest Network farm-to-store cooperative in 2000 to help the region’s traditional tobacco farmers transition to organic produce farming. AHN conducts outreach to both ends of the supply chain, moving farmers out of a dead-end commodity crop and into diversified production for niche markets.

 

“How can we create a system that puts money in farmers’ pockets and puts good food on tables in an environmentally sustainable way?” asked Anthony Flaccavento, executive director of a not-for-profit called Appalachian Sustainable Development which values hands-on action over research. His answer has been to create a business: the Appalachian Harvest Network (AHN).

 

ASD was ahead of the curve in operating as an entrepreneurial non-profit. AHN helps local farmers transform rows of tobacco, once their signature crop, into blossoming fruit and vegetable fields. And it has integrated these farmers into a new distribution system with major retailers and grocers.

 

Every week AHN communicates requests from area produce buyers to its over 70 member growers who bring their harvest to AHN’s organic facility, where it’s washed and packaged. Once orders are finalized, AHN delivers produce to the over a dozen stores, including Whole Foods Market, Food City, Engells, Ukrops and Kroger who in turn reach over 650 sites, plus produce seconds go to food pantries. This keeps money in the local economy and makes healthful food more accessible -- especially important in a region with high obesity and poor health indicators.

 

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