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BUILDING FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE

WHAT IS FOOD HUB?

The Food Hub is the new home for Farm Connex, CAE’s innovative freight service, and expanded storage and purchasing for Just Cut, CAE’s farm-to-institution program. The Food Hub also houses CAE’s offices and a community conference room with a teaching kitchen for workshops and educational opportunities.

Farm Connex

Farm Connex

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Community Connections

Community Connections

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Just Cut

Just Cut

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Greenhouse and farm rows

THE FOOD HUB: A NEW ERA FOR LOCAL AGRICULTURE

Opening in early 2025, The Food Hub is a game-changing facility that enhances CAE’s ability to serve clients, partners, and the community. CAE’s investment in this space strengthens regional agriculture by:

CAE’s investment in this space strengthens regional agriculture by:

  • Reducing environmental impact with advanced technology

  • Providing essential food storage and distribution services

  • Offering a gathering space for collaboration and education

As a scalable, sustainable model, The Food Hub demonstrates how agriculture can align with environmental responsibility. Every day, farmers, food businesses, and food security partners face challenges that CAE helps solve. This facility solidifies CAE’s commitment to supporting these vital efforts for the long term.

CLIMATE-FORWARD DESIGN AT THE FOOD HUB

The Food Hub is built with sustainability at its core, featuring cutting-edge systems to reduce environmental impact and support Vermont’s farm economy.

  • Zero Emissions -

    Powered by an innovative CO₂-based refrigeration system

  • Recycled Heat -

    Captures and reuses heat from refrigeration as the primary heat source

  • Efficient Food Transport -

    Facilitates $15M+ in local food distribution within two year

  • Stronger Farm Economy -

    Supports local food sovereignty and farm viability

  • Smart Storage Solutions -

    Provides dry, refrigerated, root, & frozen storage to extend shelf life and reduce waste

  • A Scalable Model -

    Leading the way in large-scale, energy-efficient food infrastructure

People working in greenhouse
Yellow Barn Project

REVITALIZING HARDWICK: THE YELLOW BARN PROJECT

The Yellow Barn Project is transforming Hardwick’s west entrance. A partnership between the town and local organizations, this initiative will renovate a historic barn and add a 25,000-square-foot facility to strengthen Vermont’s food system. By supporting business growth, product innovation, and market expansion, Yellow Barn will play a key role in the region’s farm and food economy. After years of planning and overcoming pandemic challenges, it is now set to become a retail and logistics hub for agricultural products.

PROJECTS HIGHLIGHT

Historic Yellow Barn - Cabot Welcome Center 

Historic Yellow Barn - Cabot Welcome Center 

Cabot Creamery Cooperative operates a retail outlet in the historic yellow barn, showcasing their signature cheeses as well as other local foods made by the region’s artisans. Located at the gateway to Hardwick’s bustling downtown, the site hosts events and regular tastings by local businesses. 

New Building

New Building

The new 25,000 sq. ft. structure is critical to the recovery and growth of the region’s post-pandemic agricultural economy. There will be two anchor tenants: Jasper Hill Farm and the Center for Agricultural Economy (CAE). 

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COMMUNITY ROOM AT THE FOOD HUB

The purpose of the Community Room at the Food Hub is to bring people together in alignment with CAE’s mission and its community programs: supporting local food systems, shared learning, food justice and love.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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Food Hub greenhouse

Visit the Food Hub

325 Vermont Route 15
Hardwick, Vermont

For Farm Connex Clients, please visit this page for more information    

Contact Information

General CAE

CONTACT OUR TEAM - COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Jake Applegate

Production Team Member