Local Food Hub announces 2011 Community Food Award winners

Local Food Hub announced the winners of the 2011 Community Food Awards at an event co-sponsored by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the City of Charlottesville, and Albemarle and Nelson counties.

“A Celebration of Growth, Expansion and Success” marked the completion of Local Food Hub’s second year of operation and featured remarks by: singer-songwriter Terri Allard, Mayor of Charlottesville David Norris, Nelson County EDA chairperson Emily Pelton, VDACS officer Robins Buck, and Local Food Hub Board Member Lisa Colton.

Six award winners were announced at the ceremony, including:

• Agricultural Endurance Award: Whitney Critzer, Critzer Family Farm
• Community Mentor Award: Richard Bean, Double H Farm
• Partner Producer of the Year: Jose and Adolfo Calixto, Singing Earth Produce
• Institutional Leader Award: UVA Health System
• Small Business, Big Impact Award: Integral Yoga Natural Foods
• Trailblazer Award: Alicia Cost and Sandra Vasquez, Nutrition Services Charlottesville City Schools

Local Food Hub aggregates, markets and distributes locally grown food, freeing up time, labor, and expenses for small family farms and providing access to fresh local food for more than 120 institutions and businesses like schools, restaurants, hospitals, and grocery stores.

Since 2009, Local Food Hub has purchased more than $750,000 worth of Virginia-grown fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meat from more than 70 area farms, putting hard-earned money directly into the pockets of farmers and business owners. Studies show that when people spend money with a locally owned business, the community sees a multiplied economic benefit two to three times greater than when their dollars leave the local economy. Local Food Hub helps create and retain jobs in Central Virginia while promoting rural agriculture, healthy eating, and conservation.

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