The Common Market is a nonprofit regional food distributor that aims to connect urban communities with local food from sustainable family farms. They accomplish this by selling fresh and healthy food to community institutions, creating a supply chain for farmers and ranchers committed to an equitable and resilient food system. The Common Market also provides values-aligned wholesale food procurement, guiding their partners to recognize the full value and impact of the food on the health of their people, community, and environment.

With hubs in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Texas, and soon, the Great Lakes, The Common Market operates independently, managing its own infrastructure and staff. Their centralized location, known as The Commons, provides support across the organization. Since 2008, they have been building relationships, strengthening regional food systems, and connecting urban and rural communities.

In the past year alone, The Common Market distributed over 5 million healthy meal equivalents, invested $13 million in local economies through food purchases, distributed over 283,000 Farm-Fresh Boxes, and supported 118 family farms. Their model supports robust regional food systems by collaborating with farmers and customers throughout the procurement and delivery process. They prioritize building resilient supply chains, provide technical assistance and fair pricing to farmers, and follow industry standards for food safety and handling.

The Common Market also focuses on wholesale distribution, aggregating local products from multiple sources and delivering them to anchor institutions that serve communities in need. They collaborate with national food service companies and independent institutions to create avenues for easy wholesale distribution of sustainable, local food. Additionally, The Common Market engages in stakeholder collaboration to improve community health, support local sourcing, and create equitable regional economies.

They work with organizations and government agencies to develop values-based institutional procurement practices and policies. One of their core initiatives is delivering healthy food to vulnerable communities. By partnering with anchor institutions, they provide access to nutritious food in areas where such access may be limited.

They prioritize distribution to communities most at risk of diet-related and chronic diseases, with the goal of improving health outcomes. The Common Market's journey began when founders Haile Johnston and Tatiana Garcia-Granados realized the disconnect between small family farmers who lacked access to markets and communities like theirs that lacked access to healthy food. In 2008, they started their nonprofit as a food distributor that would support sustainable family farms and provide food access to vulnerable communities through institutions.

Their mission is continually driven by the desire to create a more equitable and sustainable food system. The Common Market welcomes partnerships and connections. Their friendly and knowledgeable team is dedicated to collaborating with individuals and organizations every step of the way.

Whether it's buying local, making a donation, or exploring other ways to support their work, they are ready to connect and work towards building a nation of vibrant regional food systems