Welcome to the Washtenaw Food Hub, where the rhythm of local farms harmonizes with the pulse of community connection and shared prosperity.
With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence, we create spaces that inspire, elevate, and enrich the lives of those who inhabit them.
Our mission transcends mere commerce; it’s about nurturing a thriving agroecology where every stakeholder, from farmers and entrepreneurs to consumers, reaps the rewards of interdependence and collaboration.
Bordered almost entirely by agriculturally preserved land, The Washtenaw Food Hub finds its home on the historic grounds of the former Braun family farm, established in the 1830s. The site boasts essential infrastructure inherited from its past life, including a former feed store, now repurposed to accommodate the core operations of the Food Hub.
The benefits of the Washtenaw Food Hub extend far beyond the farm gate.
By serving as a central point for retail and wholesale distribution and agricultural education, we become a catalyst for community well-being, engagement, and empowerment.
The Washtenaw Food Hub emerged from a shared vision among farmers and food entrepreneurs in 2012, during a period of economic recovery and renewed interest in local, sustainable food systems. Led by forward-thinking individuals Deb Lentz and Richard Andres of Tantre Farm, the hub was developed to provide a regional center for agriculture, food distribution, processing, and education. Despite challenges, including the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hub continues to thrive, serving as a beacon of collaboration and resilience in the local food landscape.
As of April 2024, the Food Hub has opened the Sunflower Farm Market, launched an events program with Purslane Commons, and is experiencing a revitalization, fueled by renewed vigor and a sharpened focus on its mission: to elevate our individual and community’s well-being through agroecology, entrepreneurship, and food sovereignty.