Hawthorne's Frog Song Farms Anchors Push for Stronger Local Food Network

County officials launch pilot program to test food hub model and expand access to locally grown produce

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:52am

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An isometric 3D illustration depicting a stylized farm environment with rows of crops, a distribution warehouse, and various transportation vehicles, representing the interconnected local food system in Alachua County.A community-driven food hub pilot aims to strengthen connections between local farmers, institutions, and residents in Alachua County.Alachua Today

Alachua County has launched a 30-month initiative to strengthen its local food system, with Frog Song Farms in Hawthorne serving as the anchor for a 10-month pilot program. The pilot will test how a community-based food hub could function, generating data on production, distribution and market demand while building on Frog Song's existing infrastructure as an aggregator and distributor of locally grown produce.

Why it matters

The project aims to address challenges within the local food system, including limited market access for farmers and gaps in distribution that make it difficult for institutions to source local products at scale. By improving aggregation, distribution and access, the initiative seeks to get more fresh, locally-grown food into schools, institutions and homes across Alachua County.

The details

The pilot program, conducted in partnership with food system consultants New Venture Advisors, will focus on expanding farmer participation, strengthening aggregation and distribution logistics, and increasing institutional purchasing of locally grown food. One area of emphasis includes partnerships with large buyers such as Alachua County Public Schools. The project will also explore ways to improve food access for residents through direct-to-consumer sales and community-based distribution partnerships.

  • Alachua County has launched the next phase of the Fresh Food Pathways Project: Food Hub Feasibility Study, a 30-month initiative.
  • The 10-month pilot program anchored by Frog Song Farms is currently underway.

The players

Frog Song Farms

A working farm and food distribution operation in Hawthorne that already connects growers to markets across Florida.

New Venture Advisors

Food system consultants partnering with Alachua County on the pilot program.

Alachua County Public Schools

A large buyer that could play a key role in creating consistent demand for local products.

Bailey McClellan

The agriculture economic development coordinator for Alachua County.

John Bitter

The owner of Frog Song Farms.

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What they’re saying

“This project allows us to expand the reach of our local food network and support more farmers throughout Alachua County. By improving aggregation, distribution, and access, we can get more fresh, locally-grown food into schools, institutions and homes across the county.”

— John Bitter, Owner, Frog Song Farms

“Strengthening connections between local farmers, institutions and residents helps build a more resilient food system. This pilot will provide valuable insight into how a food hub could support farmers while expanding access to fresh, locally grown food.”

— Bailey McClellan, Agriculture Economic Development Coordinator, Alachua County

What’s next

The findings from the pilot will help determine whether a permanent food hub could be established in Alachua County and how it might be structured to best serve farmers, institutions and residents.

The takeaway

This initiative highlights Alachua County's commitment to building a more robust and resilient local food system. By leveraging an existing operation like Frog Song Farms, the county is taking a pragmatic approach to testing the feasibility of a food hub model that could expand market access for farmers and improve access to fresh, locally grown produce for institutions and residents.