Southwest Washington Food Hub Wins Prestigious Economic Development Award for Economic Response & Recovery
We’re thrilled to share that the Southwest Washington Food Hub has been honored with the 2025 Economic Response & Recovery Award by the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA)—a recognition that highlights the incredible innovation, resilience, and impact of this regionally driven initiative.
A Regional Response with Deep Roots
The award celebrates programs that take creative and effective action in the face of major crises—be it a natural disaster, economic downturn, or public safety emergency. The SW WA Food Hub embodies this spirit. Born out of necessity during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Hub began as a direct response to the loss of vital markets for local farms—such as restaurants, schools, and farmers markets.
In just a matter of months, the Food Hub launched a groundbreaking program that connected small farms with out-of-work families, delivering fresh, locally grown produce across five counties. This simple yet powerful act became the foundation for a regional food system that continues to grow and thrive today.
Powered by Collaboration
The SW WA Food Hub wouldn’t exist without the early and ongoing support of:
– Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC)
– Thurston County WSU Extension
– Northwest Agricultural Business Center
These partners provided critical technical and staffing assistance to bring the Hub to life—and continue to help it grow and innovate.
Meeting a Mission with Measurable Impact
“We are honored to be recognized by WEDA as an impactful economic response and recovery program,” says Tina Sharp, Hub Manager and Regional Agriculture Development Manager at the Thurston EDC. “Our goal was to create a food system that could have a positive impact on three fronts:
1. Ensure families and community members have access to healthy, consistent food
2. Support local farms with guaranteed markets
3. Strengthen the region’s food supply chain for long-term resilience.”
It’s safe to say the Hub has done just that—and then some.
Today, the Hub serves over 30 independent Washington State farms across six counties, offering services in product aggregation, distribution, and market development. Its success is deeply tied to its ability to evolve—creating reliable, year-round market access for farmers while also unlocking new opportunities like:
– Farm-to-School Programs: In 2024, the Hub supplied 11,855 students across 9 school districts with fresh, local food—about half of them qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
– Job Creation & Training: Partnering with local workforce development councils, the Hub now also operates as a vocational training site for warehouse workers, drivers, and food logistics professionals.
– Support for Food Security: During and after the pandemic, the Hub expanded to serve food banks, senior centers, and nonprofit organizations.
A Personal Mission
Tina Sharp, who grew up in Thurston County, shared in a recent interview with Thurston Talk that she didn’t realize just how much food was grown locally until she stepped into the world of economic development and workforce strategy.
“This created a passion in me to connect our community, local farm producers and local businesses,” she said. “This position allows us to make that hope a reality.”
We congratulate the Southwest Washington Food Hub and all the partners who have made this regional success story possible. It’s a shining example of how innovation, collaboration, and community commitment can create lasting, system-wide change.
Want to support the Hub and bring local food to your table?
Learn how to become a subscriber to their Harvest Boxes here.