In Ballard Spahr’s most recent pro bono representation of The Common Market, lawyers from the firm’s Business and Transactions Department advised on a strategic merger that extends the nonprofit’s network of healthy food hubs to the Greater Chicago area.
"On this particular day, The Common Market, a regional, non-profit wholesale food distributor, whose mission is to connect communities with good food from sustainable family farms, had supplied farm-fresh foods."
The Common Market, a renowned nonprofit local food distributor, is proud to announce its acquisition of Local Foods, a decade-old local food wholesaler in the Chicagoland area. This strategic acquisition represents a significant step forward in advancing the cause of local, sustainable food while creating a more resilient regional food supply chain.
"The Coalition for Healthy Food in Newark Schools (HFiNS) steering committee includes agencies that serve Newark, including the Greater Newark Conservancy, The Common Market, FoodCorps NJ, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center/RWJ Barnabas Health, United Way of Greater Newark, Urban Agriculture Cooperative, Wellness in the Schools and more. All work together with the shared goal of transforming Newark’s school food system, these partners are committed to ensuring every student has access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant foods."
This event will also help support socially disadvantaged farmers across Texas. CMTX is a nonprofit food distributor and has given out 1.8 million pounds of local food this year throughout Texas. Over 200,000 pounds of healthy foods have been distributed to hundreds right here in Houston.
The Common Market Texas (CMTX), a leading nonprofit food distributor, announced that it has distributed 1.8 million pounds of local food this year throughout Texas. Over 200,000 pounds of fresh and healthy food have been distributed to hundreds of seniors and families facing food insecurity in Houston alone thanks to community partner, BakerRipley. To help commemorate this milestone, CMTX hosted a momentous Farm-Fresh Box distribution to residents enrolled in BakerRipley’s Senior Health and Wellness program on Thursday, October 19 at the Alief Neighborhood Center.
"Many organizations have had interest in purchasing from these growers, but that interest has been on an a la carte type plan. 'That doesn’t bode well for these small growers,' says Green. The LFPA essentially provides them an on ramp to institutional markets – in particular, food service management companies that operate dining facilities for hospitals, universities, public schools, and corporate cafeterias -- by ensuring they have a market for their goods. “It gives them a reason to invest in infrastructure and obtain food safety training and certifications that will allow them to be meaningful in a wholesale market in a sustainable way. It is truly a game changer.'"
"Hudson County and the three partner agencies have developed on-site food pharmacies, where patients provided food prescriptions can redeem vouchers of $40 for free fruits and vegetables on a bi-monthly basis.
The fresh, seasonal produce will be provided through a partnership with The Common Market, a regional non-profit food distributor whose mission is to provide urban communities with food from sustainable family farms."
This dynamic 60-minute webinar explores the intersection of the USDA Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) and Statewide Local Food Purchasing Incentives (LFPIs). This webinar is divided into three sections, each featuring panelists representing states across the nation. Our very own Eliana Pinilla-Ryhal (representing Illinois) helps paint a picture of how existing LFPIs supported the implementation of LFS and how LFS was used to expand existing LFPIs.
Brittani Rowe, the culinary manager for the Marietta City Schools, is unafraid of innovation. “It’s something we thrive on,” she said.
Putting that philosophy into action will be tested this fall when the district’s high and middle school cafeterias introduce a notably kid-scary option: kale. The love-it-or-hate-it leafy green will be one piece of the fresh produce and meat options Rowe and her crew will receive this fall through a $60,000 grant from the Georgia Advancing Agriculture, Community, Resilience and Equity (ACRE) Collective, a new initiative co-led by nonprofit, regional food distributor The Common Market Southeast and other food and health organizations.
Our friendly and educated team is here to partner with you every step of the way. Connect today to learn of all the ways to partner with The Common Market.
"Not only are we supporting our local farmers, but my kids get to eat nutritionally dense and incredibly fresh produce. It's an incredible partnership that I am very proud to be a part of."
— Rylan Snodgrass, Food Service Director, SAGE Dining Services, River Oaks Baptist School, Houston, TX