Who We Are

WHO WE ARE

Your sustainability is our purpose. Let us be partners in the growth and success of your mission.

Harvest Food Systems (HFS) is strategic and passionate about being connectors in our region so our growers and makers can thrive sustainably, communities have access to the products grown and produced here. We partner with Michigan-based food system operators from farmers and makers to hubs, co-ops, and municipal organizations. We support successful businesses to grow beyond existing thresholds, build and help stabilize in challenging situations. HFS services are customizable to your needs. Let us be partners in the growth and success of your mission. We believe growing sustainable food operations is the key to a resilient regional food system infrastructure.

Food specialists with decades of experience cultivating regional food systems across Michigan

Mission

We are passionate people helping build and support a resilient and sustainable food system within the Great Lakes. We aspire to be a trusted, transparent, innovative and sustainable food system services company known as the ambassadors of our Great Lakes' food systems.

SOWING IDEAS, REAPING RESULTS.

OUR HISTORY

Harvest Food Systems (HFS) founding partner Chip Hoagland has cultivated our regional food systems for 30 years with an undaunting passion for connecting people with local food. In 2012 Cherry Capital Foods (CCF) was founded with the mission of building a sustainable and just food system. It was so much more than a food distributor– fiercely devoted to sourcing up to 90% of products locally, supporting Michigan’s food economy, and building logistical efficiencies for its customers. CCF treated its producers and customers like partners. Over its 13 years, CCF was trucking uphill, fighting hard to compete against the devaluation of Michigan-made goods, the challenge of being based in Northern Michigan, inflation, and price intolerance. By Chip Hoagland providing financial assistance to the tune of $.47 for every $1.00 made, CCF was not meeting its mission of sustainability. This financial assistance provided incubation and acceleration support not only for our growers and value-added producers but was instrumental in growing the food system nodes throughout all of Michigan. Ultimately the decision to shift operations had to be made. However, the collective knowledge gained through the existence and ultimate shuttering of CCF became a real-time study in the gaps and pitfalls making this region struggle to support a long-term successful, local food system. We learned so much. The future of our region’s food systems lies in connectivity, collaboration, and real solutions for logistics issues rather than subsidies.

Now, moving forward with this institutional knowledge, real-life data, and a group of devoted industry professionals, HFS is ready to apply our collective experience to the challenges facing the Great Lakes Food Region. Together, our mission is to build a resilient food region.

HARVEST FOOD SYSTEMS

MEET OUR LEADERS

Together with principals Chip Hoagland and Michael Lahti, HFS is comprised of a dedicated team of specialists. We bring you decades worth of comprehensive combined experience across all disciplines needed to make a business or project soar to success.