Help App Food Works get a van!

Appalachian Food Works is growing! 

Appalachian Food Works is a 501(c)3 farmer-focused, non-profit food hub working to build a more equitable food system by providing Central Pennsylvanians greater access to food grown and raised in Central Pennsylvania.

The food hub model is a business style that is growing in popularity nationwide. Food hubs purchase and aggregate farm products wholesale. These purchases are more than a farmer could sell direct-to-consumer, which guarantees more revenue for local farmers. Additionally, the food grown locally stays local, which means less environmental impact due to transit and more fresh, regionally sustainable food for Centre County eaters.


“The work we do is especially important as farm livelihoods have become more precarious and the food system has become more globalized,” said Lesser. “As we’ve seen with empty store shelves due to COVID-19, the food system we have is fragile. Purchasing local and relying on local farms can be really important during uncertain times.”


The GoFundMe for the new refrigerated van will be the organization’s next step to scale up these crucial activities, supporting farmers and community members more efficiently and with a greater volume of product than before.


“We hope that our community will continue to show support for us as we try to support them, too,” said Lesser. “A refrigerated van will make a huge difference for our ability to transport local food reliably.”
More information about Appalachian Food Works: Appalachian Food Works will work to ensure food grown and raised in Central Pennsylvania will be consumed by Central Pennsylvania residents. Phase One of this project will focus on selling wholesale beef to restaurants in Centre County, with subsequent stages including expansion of product line and geographic reach, as well as a food & ag incubator, commercial test kitchen, and a clearing house for events and organizations who focus on supporting locally sourced food.

Please consider contributing to our cause as we strive to fix the inequities in our food supply chain.