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Pandemic Delay Led To More Opportunities For North Sarah Food Hub

Urban farmer Gibron Jones had big plans for an industrial kitchen in north St. Louis. He is the founder of the Holistic Organic Sustainable Cooperative. Jones uses his urban farming background to expand the mission of the North Sarah Food Hub.

Previously known as North City Food Hub, the organization sponsors five initiatives to streamline the process of starting a business that provides healthy and affordable food, including an entrepreneurial program, a shared-use commissary kitchen, a co-op grocery store and a culinary school.

This hub was set to open in March, but the coronavirus pandemic temporarily halted those plans. In the meantime, Jones partnered with local chefs in the Niche Food Group to address food insecurity in the region in a different way. 

Gibron Jones founded HOSCO eight years ago to help provide training, education and expand urban farming food operations.
Credit Ashley Gieseking | Sauce Magazine
Gibron Jones founded HOSCO 10 years ago to help provide training, education and expand urban farming food operations.

The collective has been preparing meals for homebound seniors, as well as families and students in St. Louis who previously relied on the state’s free and reduced-price lunch program. The organization has prepared more than 55,600 meals so far. As of June, the meals are now 100% plant based. 

The move away from animal-based products is at the forefront of HOSCO’s initiatives. The workforce training program is researching and developing plant-based foods that will eventually be sold at the grocery co-op. In a city like St. Louis, known for its barbecue and love of meat, Jones wants to increase access to healthier foods in north city.

In the coming months, Jones hopes to slowly ease into launching the North Sarah Food Hub’s original plans, such as a grocery delivery service. Jones joined Wednesday’s St. Louis on the Air to get listeners up to speed on the hub’s pivot, as well as its plans for the future. 

Give it a listen:

St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is hosted by Sarah Fenske and produced by Alex Heuer, Emily Woodbury, Evie Hemphill and Lara Hamdan. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr.

Send questions and comments about this story to feedback@stlpublicradio.org.

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Lara is the Engagement Editor at St. Louis Public Radio.