Don’t see your question here? Please use the Feedback button at left to ask us. We update our Frequently Asked Questions on a regular basis.
What’s New
- NEWS section makes it easy to stay up-to-date with the latest FoodHub comings and goings
- There is a new section on FoodHub specifically designed to keep you in the know. Log in and click NEWS in the header (last button on the right). Once you do, you’ll find member profiles, information about site improvements, tips to make the most of FoodHub, and even special treats—such as insider information on who has the season’s first tomatoes. FoodHub is growing quickly and we want to make sure you stay up-to-date on all the comings and goings. News content will be updated frequently. Visit often.
About FoodHub
- Who owns FoodHub?
- FoodHub is owned and operated by the non-profit Ecotrust. Ecotrust’s mission is to inspire fresh thinking that creates social equity, economic opportunity, and environmental well-being. For more information, visit www.ecotrust.org.
- How much does FoodHub membership cost?
- FoodHub membership costs $100 per year. Your membership is valid for one year after the date you join. Your membership fee is payable online using FoodHub’s secure PayPal account during Step 2 of our easy two-step registration process. Alternately, you can email meet@food-hub.org with a request for an invoice.
- Is membership tax deductible?
- The FoodHub membership fee covers a service provided by Ecotrust and therefore is not a tax-deductible contribution. Your membership fee helps offset the costs of operating FoodHub, including staff time, continual improvements to the current site, and creation of new features.
- What are the benefits of paying for full membership?
- Your FoodHub membership gives you access to all of FoodHub’s features, including a personalized business profile that other members can view, an online message center, and contact management, as well as the ability to view other members’ profiles, search for products, publish a Marketplace post, and view other members’ Marketplace posts. For a complete description of membership benefits, please see About FoodHub and our Getting Started Guide.
- Are guest passes available?
- Yes. Email connect@food-hub.org for a free short-term guest pass.
- How do I cancel my membership?
- Membership fees are non-refundable and do not auto-renew. If you’d like your profile removed before the end of your subscription period, send an email to connect@food-hub.org.
- Is information that members post on FoodHub verified?
- We rely on our members to keep their profiles accurate and up-to-date. Presently we do not have the capacity to verify all of the information provided by our members and users.
- Who can join?
- FoodHub is a business-to-business tool and is currently open to food buyers and sellers of all types in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
- Does FoodHub exist in other parts of the country?
- Currently, FoodHub is open to food buyers and sellers of all types in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. However, Ecotrust intends to make the FoodHub platform available to qualified partners in other parts of the country. For more information, please send an email to connect@food-hub.org.
Getting Started
- How do I start?
- Getting started is an easy two-step registration process. In Step 1 you provide basic contact information. You’ll then be able to browse FoodHub and see who has already joined, but you will not have access to all other FoodHub features. In Step 2 you purchase a FoodHub membership, either online using our secure PayPal account or by emailing meet@food-hub.org with a request for an invoice, which will grant you complete access to all the benefits of FoodHub membership. FoodHub’s Getting Started Guide provides further instructions.
- Do I need a high-speed internet connection?
- Although nice, a high-speed connection is in no way necessary.
Account Maintenance
- Lost password
- Click on the “Forgot Password” link in the Welcome Box. Provide your email address and we’ll send you your password. If you don’t have access to your email, please contact connect@food-hub.org for additional assistance.
- Change username and/or password
- If you can access your account, click Edit Profile to make changes to your contact information. If you are unable to access your account, please email connect@food-hub.org or call 503.467.0816 for assistance.
- Is the FoodHub’ product directory missing something?
- FoodHub will continually evolve to meet your needs, so please tell us if you can’t find a product that you buy or sell; if we’re missing an important certification or business type; or if we don’t list your farmers market or distribution partner. Let us know your request by either clicking the green Feedback button of the left side of the screen or sending an email to connect@food-hub.org.
While we’re in our beta phase, you’ll only find products in meat, seafood, fruit, vegetable, herbs and spices. The currently limited membership base means that you may not find the product you’re looking for simply because a buyer or seller matching those criteria has not yet joined the community. Help us deepen the network—encourage your colleagues to join FoodHub today! - Receiving unwanted emails from a FoodHub member?
- Please forward a copy of the unwanted email with headers intact to connect@food-hub.org. You can also edit your profile and select “no” in the automated email category so as to minimize unwanted notifications filling your inbox.
- Can I email the entire FoodHub community?
- You may only send mail to your contacts. To reach the entire community we recommend that you use the Marketplace. New Marketplace posts appear on every dashboard.
Distribution
- How does FoodHub address distribution?
- Currently, FoodHub supports a wide variety of distribution models—from Alaskan fishermen who freeze and ship their product via UPS; ranchers who run their own trucks into town; farmers who ready wholesale orders for pick up at farmers markets; to all those who gladly rely on the services provided by mainline distributors. However, we believe that FoodHub opens doors for many new distribution opportunities. Below are two we are focused on currently.
- Mainline Distributors
- Many of the region’s mainline distributors do a great job delivering regional products. We’re interested in exploring how FoodHub can help get even more local products onto those trucks. If you use a mainline distributor to buy or sell, please be sure to check the distribution box in your profile. In the future, we expect the FoodHub interface with mainline distributors will become more and more sophisticated.
- Hubs
- As FoodHub grows, we aim to identify regional hubs. It may be that your neighbors could use some help getting their products to market too. Are you a seller that delivers? What’s your delivery range? We would like to get a sense of who is running trucks where. When completing your profile, please be sure to provide delivery information.
- Do we seek members’ input on distribution?
- Absolutely. Before we launch a system to enhance distribution options for our users, we have data to gather from our members. Equally important will be your input. Have you seen innovative models that work? Do you have ideas on how FoodHub could help facilitate greater movement of local products into the local marketplace? Please share your thoughts with us at connect@food-hub.org. Kindly put the word “distribution” in the subject line.
We know some of the best answers and ideas will come from the FoodHub community of users. Thus our plan is to gather as much feedback as possible and then start to execute some of the strongest attainable ideas in early to mid 2010. We look forward to hearing from you.
Feedback Center
- Contact Us
- The FoodHub team is committed to making this site useful and relevant to you. Not finding the answers you need here? Email connect@food-hub.org or call 503.467.0816 for assistance during business hours. We’ll respond to your request within one business day.
- Feedback Buttons
- There are Feedback buttons throughout the site. Please use them to share your questions, ideas, praise and problems.
You may also want to visit our Forum at Get Satisfaction, where you’ll find answers to questions posed by other FoodHub users.
Analogous Online Tools
- AgBASE
- Launched in 2006 and headquartered in Wenatchee, Washington, AgBASE is a “worldwide virtual farmer’s marketplace.” Learn more at http://agbase.com.
- GrowFood
- GrowFood connects farmers interested in teaching with people interested in farming throughout the world. Learn more at http://growfood.org.
- Puget Sound Food Network
- Launched in November 2009 as a project of the Northwest Agriculture Business Center (NABC), the Puget Sound Food Network (PSFN) offers online tools for food buyers and sellers looking to connect and do business in Washington, and specifically, within the 12 counties of the Puget Sound region. Learn more at www.psfn.org.
If you are already a PSFN member, we’d like to offer you a 50% discount on your FoodHub membership. For details, please reach us at connect@food-hub.org.
