Retail Clerk/Sales Associate

Update: The Quad Cities Food Hub is in the final stages of testing a new Quad Cities Area Virtual Market. This online system connects local farmers and producers with customers. Orders are made within a specified time frame. Producers drop off and shoppers pick up on a designated date. Join our Facebook page to be notified of progress.

We hope to have our first run of the system by June 1. Thank you for your support.

The Quad Cities Food Hub is a community-based initiative designed to strengthen our local food system by expanding opportunities in both the delivery and demand of nutritious, local food. Our plan is to build on the solid foundation established by the neighboring Freight House Farmers Market, located in Davenport’s downtown business district and along the majestic Mississippi River.

The strategic plan calls for a daily storefront inside the Freight House, along with the creation of a certified community kitchen which will aid in educational and training opportunities for vendors and consumers alike, the introduction of a wholesale market to link with a wide array of community institutions, and finally, the creation (and linkage to the QCFH) of community gardens in neighborhoods throughout the Quad Cities.

Our community-based plan is to make the Quad Cities Food Hub a vital center for the growth, production, distribution and consumption of local and nutritious food for the entire region. This will benefit the residents of the Quad Cities by adding to development efforts, increasing local income, assuring a local, fresh, affordable and secure food supply, providing income to local growers and local food entrepreneurs, and ultimately, improving the health and wellness of all Quad Cities residents through improved nutrition.

The greater Quad Cities Region is the specific area intended to benefit from a initiative called the Quad Cities Food Hub. The Food Hub, still in development stages is solidly anchored in the support of city government which commissioned a broad-based steering committee, led by the Development Director of the Levee Improvement Commission, Steve Ahrens.

Visitors enjoyed “Celebrating Growing” Open House April 18

Quad Cities Food Hub invited the public to attend their “Celebrate Growing Open House” on Thursday, April 18 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Food Hub Market (Located in the Freight House, River Drive Davenport, Iowa). Tickets are $15 and include a beer sampler provided by Front Street Brewery and a wide variety hors d’oerves from local producers.

The Quad Cities Food Hub works to support healthy lifestyles by promoting local food production, connecting producers and consumers, and cultivating education and training programs.

Activities during the Open House:
During the open house, attendees will learn about Quad Cities Food Hub’s new projects including a virtual online market that will allow consumers to purchase fresh local produce and products from local area producers online. Attendees will also learn about other Quad Cities Food Hub initiatives include a commercial kitchen, community gardens, new grocery store, community education and how they can become involved. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet the board of directors and new store manager, Wendy Saathof.

“Iowa has some of the world’s most fertile soil so you would expect it to be one of the world’s biggest producers of fresh produce. Unfortunately, it is not so. The average fruit and vegetable that reaches our grocery stores travels about 1,500 miles to get here. The Quad Cities Food Hub’s goal is to change that,” said Quad Cities Food Hub board member, Julia Blazevic.

The Quad Cities Food Hub initiative started with a group of Davenport officials and local food advocates’ trip to Detroit’s Eastern Market. Davenport Mayor Gluba and an eight-member delegation went there in August 2010. Following their return, a 25-member steering committee was establish comprised of individuals with extensive experience in our local food system and economy and has been working on creating a long-term plan of action to strengthen our community’s local food system.

To learn more about the Quad Cities Food Hub visit www.facebook.com/quadcitiesfoodhub
and www.qcfoodhub.com.