Find the answer to frequently asked questions below! Do you need more information? Be sure to read through the Producer Check-List and Policy Manual. If you still need answers, Contact Us.

How do I sell on the Food Hub?
It’s easy to sign up! Check out BECOME A VENDOR tab.  After completion of the application, paying your vendor fee, and sending in all necessary documents and photos, you will receive an email login, giving you access to training materials and more. Be sure to take a look at our ORDERING CYCLES.

Is the Alaska Food Hub a Co-Op
No, you can think of us as an online farmers market- customers can browse producers’ “virtual booths,” reading information about growing practices, philosophies, and biographical information. Customers may also browse by product types, selecting items from a variety of producers.   If you’d like to sell on the market, simply sign up online and complete the necessary steps.

What if I can’t pick up my order?
You may designate someone else to pick up your order. If this is not possible, we encourage you not to order for the week, as any unclaimed orders will be donated to local charities, like the Food Pantry or Food Bank,

If I’m a vendor and I want to be a customer as well, do I have to buy two memberships?
No! You can use one login for both.  You will just need to login in the appropriate spot. Producers login in at the bottom of the Online Marketplace, while customers login at the top. It will be clearly labeled as such.  Producers wishing to be customers need to only pay the yearly producer vendor fee of $40.

We’re a restaurant and buy a lot! Can we get a bulk discount?
Any customer (restaurant, family, individual, anyone) who buys over $150 at a time will receive an automatic 10% discount when you check out!

Will the food hub be open all year?
We have the ability to keep the Hub open, however, we’ll need vendors to sell products throughout the darkest/coldest months. We’re hopeful that with this selling opportunity, there may be more root/storage vegetables, crafts and other goods available for sale in the winter. If we don’t have enough products to sell, we will be able to go into a “hibernation mode” for a few months until goods are ready to be sold again! We’re now operating early-March through mid-December/

Where and when do I pick up my order?
Check out the website for details on your location here.

What if I need to make changes to my order?
Customers can make changes to their order at any point when the shopping period is open! You can add products, cancels products, or delete your entire order. Once the ordering period closes, Mondays at 10pm, you will not be able to change your order.

Is the Food Hub part of the Farmers Market?
No. The Food Hub is a different entity from the Farmers Market. We are hoping to expand options for people who may not currently shop at the Farmers Market for whatever reasons. We anticipate many of our vendors will sell at both locations.

Do you accept food stamps/EBT?
We are working with the Federal Nutrition Services for authorization to accept food stamps/EBT. Currently, there are no food hubs in the entire nation that can accept EBT. There are a few pilot cases being tested for viability. We hope to be able to accept EBT in the near future.

What if I have quality concerns about some of my products?
We work with our vendors to ensure the highest quality of all products. However, if you have concerns you can work with the Food Hub manager during pick-up to adjust your order. After pick-up, you will need to work directly with the producer to remedy any issues.

Can I sell to multiple pick up locations?
Yes, however, the Food Hub only offers transportation or other logistics for Homer vendors sending products to Soldotna.  Products must be dropped off by 1pm in Homer, to make the 4pm opening in Soldotna.

If you are a vendor in another region, you will need to contact the Manager and provide your plan for ensuring distribution to the various locations. You can offer products at one or the other location as you are available – i.e. you don’t have to provide products to both locations all of the time if you choose to try this out.

Do we have marketing materials or an outreach tool kits for producers?
We have flyers, images, rack cards, a website, Facebook page, and an animated explainer video. Just email us and we’ll get you this info!

What marketplace software do you use?

Local Foods Marketplace supports many food hubs nationwide. “We believe that eating locally is fundamental in building a more sustainable world. Our aim with Local Food Marketplace is to increase the amount of food purchased and eaten locally by providing technology and services for food hubs to sell and distribute local food to consumers, restaurants, grocery stores, and institutions. We believe that empowering local businesses, cooperatives, and non-profits with the right technology will help make strong and diverse local food systems where food hubs, producers, buyers, and eaters all benefit.”

What is the product labeling protocol?

Yes, please see the guidelines outlined in our policy manual. All products must be source identified.

Will there be refrigeration at the drop-off?

No, each producer is responsible for keeping products that require refrigeration cool throughout the duration of the pick-up day.

Will there be a certified scale to weigh produce sold by weight at the drop-off?
No, this is the responsibility of each producer. We trust you to provide the products as described.

When do producers receive payment?
Checks will be cut monthly. Bookkeepers will cut and send checks within 10 business days of the last cycle’s close.

What does the drop off process look like?
Each drop off site is a little different. Basically you’ll show up with your products and the manager will count you in. Some locations the producer and site managers will work together to aggregate.

Can producers sell to multiple pick-up locations?
Yes, but getting the products to those pick-up locations are the responsibility of the producers. Exception: Homer to Soldotna and Homer to Seldovia transportation is being provided by Cook Inletkeeper.

How does the program sustain itself?

The 18-25% mark up, vendor and customer memberships, donations, merchandise sales, and grant funding support the program currently.

Who deals with customer complaints?
Food Hub Coordinator work with customer complaints, and mediate between producers and customers to find a viable and fair solution.

Can we sell cottage foods on the food hub?

YES, as of 2018; please see the Policy Manual for more information.