Family farms form the backbone of California agriculture. While more than 90% of the state’s farms are considered family-owned, only around 9% of California farms are BIPOC-owned. Keng Vang established the Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub to help these underrepresented growers to survive and thrive. He explains, “I started the food hub because I saw a real need – especially around marketing – for the small farms I work with. Most of the farmers are BIPOC, and many don’t speak English fluently, which makes it incredibly difficult for them to access resources.”
Empowering small farmers
The Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub operates as an aggregator, helping small farms reach new markets and sell their produce more effectively. But what does that mean in practice? Think of the Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub as one-stop shopping for food banks, schools, restaurants and other food hubs. They market, pack and distribute produce from almost 40 small farms, streamlining the process so buyers don’t have to source from each farm individually. Instead, all products are consolidated and made available through a single, centralized system.
Keng works alongside each farmer, building relationships and identifying the unique needs of each operation. Whether it’s facilitating buyer relationships or helping to coordinate harvest timelines, the Fresno BIPOC Produce hub doesn’t just move produce – it empowers small farmers with the tools, knowledge and support they need to grow sustainably and achieve their goals.
Creating a better food system
Even in California, many communities are considered “food deserts”, struggling with access to fresh, healthy produce. Programs like the Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub play an essential role in tackling that issue, providing much-needed fruits and vegetables to Central Valley food banks and school districts. This solution is mutually beneficial, confronting food insecurity head-on while helping small farmers find new, non-traditional markets for their goods.
Keepin’ it Californian
These efforts align with the Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub’s core mission to strengthen local food systems and ensure California-grown produce remains within the communities that need it most. Keng explains, “It’s important to support local farmers, especially here in California, because California has one of the most abundant supplies of produce. We also have probably the most Asian-grown produce in the United States. And a lot of that produce is going out—it’s not staying here in California, which is kind of sad. Our goal is to create more projects and more programs that help keep the produce right here. ” Keng’s lips curve into a broad smile as he concludes, “We want to create a better food system—one that provides fresh, local produce so people can live healthier lives.”
If you’re interested in purchasing produce from the Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub, check out their new online marketplace. If you’re a farmer and interested in joining Fresno BIPOC Produce Hub, register online.
Article by Hilary Rance and photography by James Collier for CA GROWN.
