Need More Acres farm plans new local food hub

ALLEN COUNTY, Ky. — Need More Acres Farm is expanding its work with local farmers, families and health care partners through a new food hub that will add storage, distribution and educational space at its Allen County farm.

Owner Michelle Howell said the farm began on two acres in Bowling Green before expanding to 20 acres in Allen County in 2014. The new facility will help grow its farm-to-school and Food is Medicine programs.

More room for local food

The food hub will include cold storage, dry storage, an old-fashioned root cellar, a classroom and teaching kitchen.

Howell said Need More Acres currently purchases food from about 30 farmers each week.

“That will allow us to be able to buy from more farmers,” Howell said. “We purchase from about 30 different farmers every week. And then we’ll be able to distribute more of that food into the community through home delivery and other models. We’re also going to have a classroom, and a teaching kitchen.”

The farm buys dairy products, fruits, vegetables, proteins and eggs from other producers for food boxes distributed through its programs.

Expanding Food is Medicine

Need More Acres works with health departments, hospitals and doctors that refer people to receive produce prescriptions or grocery boxes.

The boxes can include fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and other items purchased from Kentucky farmers. Howell said the farm also wants to make the boxes available through home delivery for people looking for healthier food options.

“Our dream has always been that we be able to create a place for kids to come out with our farm-to-school work, and then also to be able to expand our food as medicine work,” Howell said. “And we’re finally able to do that now.”

Year-round growth

Howell said the new cold storage and root cellar will also help Need More Acres make locally grown food available year-round.

The farm has worked with other farmers to extend growing seasons and produce food during winter months.

The expansion could also create more work for delivery drivers, field workers and high school and college students while allowing Need More Acres to grow its farm-to-school programming.

Howell said the long-term goal is to support more farmers, put more dollars into the local economy, expand health care partnerships and improve access to nutritious food.

“You know, that’s really the goal is to combine those things, the economic impact for farmers with the health of our community,” Howell said.