Highlights
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Local food hubs can address problems of the profit-driven, mainstream, global food system.
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Local hubs are often hybrids of alternative small-scale and mainstream large-scale distribution.
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A case study of a local food hub in California elucidates some key criteria for success.
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Scaling up from direct marketing, vs. down from mainstream distribution was a key to success.
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Motivation of actors to prioritize social and environmental over economic goals was another key to success.