A cooperative of farmers and shops
The Food Hub is a cooperative owned by farmers from Southern Europe and Belgian shops.
Our Mediterranean farmers are the A and B members; they are the founders of our cooperative. Our C members are independent shops and restaurants from Belgium, each offering their own alternative to the status quo.
By working with The Food Hub, our customers buy directly from farmers in Southern Europe. Personal contact throughout the entire supply chain is one of our core values; in this way, we set ourselves apart from the dominant food system of long supply chains and anonymous faces.
Our farmers, our shareholders
Our farmers are the beating heart of our cooperative. They founded The Food Hub and hold the deciding vote at the General Meeting. Through The Food Hub, they have created a way to distribute their produce across Belgium. The team of colleagues based in Belgium handles the day-to-day management.
Valdibella
Gaston, Nicoletta, Gioacchino, Walter and Duncan
Valdibella is a cooperative of small-scale, organic farmers in Sicily and our main shareholder. Valdibella means ‘beautiful valley’, and that’s certainly true.
The heart of the cooperative is situated on a hill in Camporeale. This is where the offices, guesthouse, wine cellar and various fields are located. The organisation now comprises 41 local producers. Together, they produce the renowned Valdibella wine, pasta, and pestos, and grow a variety of fruit and vegetables.
A selection of Valdibella producers
Tierra y Libertad
Reyes and Christobal from TyL surrounded by Belgian clients
Tierra y Libertad is a network of family farms and small cooperatives in Spain. Their operations are based on the principles of mutual respect, solidarity, and sustainability.
They supply high-quality products at fair, competitive prices with complete transparency: we know where a product comes from, we know the producers, and we can see how much they are paid for their products.
Rocio in her Spanish jungle
Antonio on the mountain where he keeps his pigs
In the orchard of Olivo Vivo
Want to find out more?
Read the stories of our farmers and shareholders here!
Our clients, our shareholders
Since 2024, our customers in Belgium have also been able to become shareholders in The Food Hub. In this way, we are creating a cooperative where both producers and customers have a say, form a network, sit down together and shape the future of The Food Hub. Short supply chain, that’s it!
The beautiful shelves of RICO
Onze farmers on a visit to Akelei
Martin and Charlotte from BEES
More than fruits and vegetables
As well as our regular activities – supporting farmers, solving logistical transport challenges and delivering healthy food across Belgium – we also want to do our bit to help create a better food system in other ways.
GRONDSTOF
GRONDSTOF in De Studio 2025
GRONDSTOF is a collective comprising RICO, GROF & THE FOOD HUB. Every three months, we organise a film and discussion programme exploring the small creatures and wider connections within our food chain. Together, we shine a spotlight on farmers, animals, and country folk, serve a three-course meal, and discuss the future of our agriculture.
De Landgenoten
The Food Hub is a B-shareholder and a member of the Board of Directors of De Landgenoten. This is a cooperative that purchases agricultural land using funds from shareholders and donors, and leases it to organic farmers under long-term contracts. By offering farmers long-term lease agreements, they encourage the growth of sustainable agriculture in Flanders, ensure the continuity of farms, and protect the soil fertility that has been built up for the next generation of organic farmers.
Emma from Herdershof, photo Nattida-Jayne Kanyachalao