Aramark Healthcare+ and Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital partnered with The Common Market Texas, a nonprofit food distributor that connects small and mid-sized farms to institutional buyers, to provide fresh, seasonal produce, quality proteins and artisanal dairy — ingredients that bring vibrant flavors to traditional recipes and connect diners to local farms.
114. The Common Market, United States
By connecting regional farmers with institutions like schools and hospitals, The Common Market strengthens local economies and expands access to nutritious, sustainably grown food. By advancing forward purchasing commitments for small and mid-scale farms, the organization hopes to rebuild regional food systems in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Texas, and Great Lakes region of the U.S.
As Thanksgiving draws near and many of us begin thinking about what will fill our tables, Director of Dining and Wellness Jennifer Bostedo is already thinking several steps ahead – about how to bring the freshness of New Jersey’s fall harvest directly to Montclair State University’s campus. For her, food is more than a meal plan; it’s a way to connect students to local farms, sustainable eating and the flavors of the season.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board recently approved more than $20.6 million in grant awards to 50 organizations under the Food Equity and Economic Development in New Jersey (FEED NJ) Pilot Program. The awards are the first set of approvals under the $30 million FEED NJ program and will support food security projects in New Jersey’s 14 most acute Food Desert Communities (FDCs), catalyzing innovative, sustainable, and scalable food access initiatives in underserved areas. The total funding of $30 million is one of the largest investments in recent years dedicated to strengthening New Jersey’s food security infrastructure.
Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive healthcare network, today announced a multi-pronged commitment totaling almost $7 million to expand its fight against hunger and food insecurity.
The HMH Healthy Connections Nutrition Pack Program will be a collaborative effort with established partners, including the Community Food Bank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) and Fulfill. Students will receive either a Nutrition Box or a reusable HMH-branded bag filled with shelf-stable, kid-friendly meals and, through a partnership with The Common Market, fresh produce.
Leaders shared how they collaborate across the supply chain to advance racial and gender equity from farmland access and farm business support, institutional procurement, and purchasing. The three sectors are: Farmland Access & Farm Business Support (Farms Fund); Procurement (Common Market); and Institutional Purchasing (Emory University). Listen to inspiring success stories and also discuss challenges, lessons learned, and what comes next. We will also discuss the unique mixes of philanthropic, public, and impact investment capital that drive our business models.
The Common Market Texas celebró la inauguración oficial de su renovado almacén en Houston con una ceremonia de corte de listón y recorrido por las nuevas instalaciones. El proyecto, que contó con el apoyo de la Administración de Desarrollo Económico de Estados Unidos (EDA) y fundaciones filantrópicas, incluyó más de $5 millones en renovaciones, entre ellas un espacio refrigerado de 15 mil pies cuadrados.
“The Common Market Texas plays a vital role in connecting family farmers with schools, hospitals, and communities across our state,” said Commissioner Miller. “This grand re-opening is proof that Texas agriculture is not just surviving—it’s thriving. When we strengthen our food infrastructure, we strengthen rural economies, create jobs, and ensure that more Texans can enjoy fresh, healthy, local products grown right here in the Lone Star State.”
Students and faculty at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey have a new way to receive fresh produce, courtesy of the dining team’s new Farm Box Program. Each week, students and faculty place their order via Grubhub using their flex dollars or credit card and then pick up their box full of fresh produce right on campus. Unlike a traditional CSA program, there is no subscription required, and students and faculty can order the boxes on a per-week basis.
The produce is sourced from Montclair State’s new vendor, The Common Market. Each week, Common Market sends the dining team a list of produce available and they choose six to eight items for the boxes that they think students would enjoy.
For example, in Georgia, we supported and The Common Market Georgia and the ACRE Collective (ACRE), through a grant to The Common Market Philadelphia Inc., to pilot a groundbreaking approach: Partnering forward commitments ― where institutions like schools and hospitals committed to purchasing certain volumes of food in advance ― with financial and technical assistance so farmers received pre-season payments, grants for equipment or infrastructure, and tailored technical assistance to help them meet volume, food safety, and specification requirements.
Our friendly and educated team is here to partner with you every step of the way. Connect today to learn of all the ways to partner with The Common Market.
"Not only are we supporting our local farmers, but my kids get to eat nutritionally dense and incredibly fresh produce. It's an incredible partnership that I am very proud to be a part of."
— Rylan Snodgrass, Food Service Director, SAGE Dining Services, River Oaks Baptist School, Houston, TX