Hernando County Growers Association, Inc.

The HCGA connects consumers with locally harvested agricultural products by fostering an environment of cooperation and collaborative sustainable agriculture to meet existing market demands, and to discover and develop new market opportunities. The HCGA stimulates capacity and production growth to meet current and future market demands by supporting existing producers and encouraging new producers to enter the agriculture industry through partnership programs encompassing education, funding, technical and strategic initiatives. The specific objectives and purpose of the HCGA are: To establish and operate the Brooksville Main Street Farmers Market, a venue for producers to connect with consumers in a safe and healthy environment. To establish a Farm to School program serving the Hernando County School District, charter schools, private schools and schools throughout Florida. To establish and operate the Hernando County Growers Association Food Hub, connecting consumers throughout Hernando County with producers and agriculture products sourced throughout the county. To establish a supply chain network capable of distributing local agriculture products to schools, retail customers, wholesale consumers. To establish a Food Recovery program to redirect safe and healthy, unsold produce to approved and qualified organizations. To bring incentive programs and opportunities to Hernando county for low income, limited resource and at-risk consumers to include a Produce Prescription Program, SNAP/EBT dollar matching program, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and Farmer Market Nutrition Program. To establish a New Farmer Development program for transitioning Veterans and Beginning Farmers.