County Launches New Food Program to Connect Residents with Local Growers

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced a new program and "Food Hub" that will connect residents with locally grown food.

The Howard County Food Policy Task Force will be in charge of creating the Food Hub, which will collect, store and process locally produced healthy foods in one place, according to a county release.

"A smart and sustainable food initiative is the next step in our efforts to make Howard County a model public health community," said County Executive Ken Ulman in a statement. "We can boost the production of food, and get that food into the mouths of the people who need it."

The endeavor is a partnership between the county and The Horizon Foundation. Both are contributing funding and staffing to launch the new program.

“By expanding the availability of fresh, local produce, this initiative will help improve the health of our residents and our farms," said Horizon Foundation CEO and President Nikki Highsmith Vernick.

Vernick cited the 2012 Howard County Health Survey that found that 35 percent of county residents eat less than one serving of fruits and vegetables each day as evidence of the need for the program. 

Ulman asked the task force to develop plans for the Fod Hub within a year. In addition to storage, the hub will also include an incubator for small food businesses and a mobile market to make fruits and vegetables widely available, according to the county.