We're Forest City Food Collective — And We're Glad You're Here!

If you’ve been following our journey, you may remember that we started out as the Oberlin Food Hub. We've been quietly doing this work for years — connecting small farms with food banks, schools, grocery stores, and restaurants across Ohio, and making sure fresh, regional food gets to the people and places that need it most.

But something is growing, and we want you to grow with us.

Today, we’re operating under a new name: Forest City Food Collective. And we have a new warehouse, in Cleveland. But more importantly, we have an invitation for you. Join us! Become part of the collective and help us build a regional food system that works for all of us.

What We've Been Building Together

Simply put, our work is about connection. Every day, we are bridging the gap between the farmers growing food in rural Ohio and the communities in cities who need access to it. Or goal is to handle the logistics — the routes, the relationships, the coordination — so that a family farm outside of Fremont can reliably supply a food bank in Cleveland, a school cafeteria, or an independent market down the street.

One of the best examples of this work is our partnership with Adam Welly, owner of Wayward Seed Farm. Together, we've moved more than 4 million pounds of food from small farms to food banks across the state. Thanks to our partners, we’ve helped generate more than $8.5 million in local economic activity. And we did this by building something durable: a system where farmers get paid fairly and communities get access to the food being grown right in their own backyard.

"I am heartened by the opportunity to continue our work together," Adam told us. We feel the same way.

Why Cleveland, Why Now

Our move to Cleveland has allowed us to position Forest City Food Collective right at the heart of Northeast Ohio, with all its markets, its communities, and its energy. The city’s location makes it the right home for the regional work we’re doing together.

Our new name reflects this, too. Forest City Food Collective is a nod to Cleveland's own roots, and a statement of purpose: this is a collective effort, and it belongs to all of us.

"This transition is about more than a new name or a new home," says Dave Sokoll, the collective’s executive director. "It's about embracing the role we hope to play in Northeast Ohio for years to come. We're excited to be in Cleveland, where we can build deeper relationships across local communities by connecting our rural agricultural producers with the energy and opportunity of urban markets."

The Moment We're In

The food industry is very close to a tipping point. The pressures on our local food system are real. Farms are closing. Costs are rising. Large corporations are buying up the infrastructure that once supported independent producers, making it harder for small farms to survive and harder for all of us to access the fresh, regional food they grow.

At Forest City Food Collective, we believe there's another way. And we're building it. But we need your help to keep this new model running.

Join Us as a Monthly Supporter

We've launched a community of monthly supporters with a goal of raising $75,000 in 2026. This funding goes directly to the staffing, equipment, and day-to-day logistics that keep the whole system humming.

Your contribution will make a real, measurable difference for our work:

• $10/month helps move fresh, local food from our warehouse into the community

• $25/month helps a small grower reach new customers through our weekly routes

• $50/month helps our team coordinate directly with farmers, food producers, and buyers

"At a time when so many systems feel fragmented, we believe food can still bring people together," says Sokoll. "We see enormous hope in creating stronger local connections, and we're grateful for everyone choosing to build something new with us."

We believe in this region. We believe in its farmers and its families. And we believe that when we work together, we can feed ourselves — sustainably, equitably, and with pride.

Will you join us by becoming a member of the Forest City Food Collective today?

Click the link to donate: https://forestcityfoodcollective.com/donors.