North Coast Growers Association

What North Coast Growers Association does

North Coast Growers Association (NCGA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980-1981 and headquartered in Arcata, California, that supports Humboldt County's farmers and artisan producers through a portfolio of direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and agricultural development programs. Its core operations comprise 10 certified farmers' markets operating year-round and seasonally across Humboldt County, a multi-farm CSA-style Harvest Box program with online pre-ordering and home delivery, and the Harvest Hub—a wholesale food hub at 5720 West End Road, Arcata—that aggregates local produce for schools, food banks, tribal entities, restaurants, and food trucks. NCGA's technology stack relies on third-party SaaS rather than proprietary infrastructure: Manage My Market powers the membership directory and product search, Local Food Marketplace underpins the Harvest Hub online wholesale ordering, Constant Contact distributes the quarterly newsletter, and a basic website provides program information and Harvest Box ordering.

The organization's business model blends nonprofit revenue streams including farmers' market vendor fees and membership dues, CSA subscription revenue, wholesale transaction fees, agricultural training programs (e.g., the $300 Seasoned Farmer Business Series for non-members), sponsorships (e.g., $225-$450 music sponsorships), donations, and grant funding—notably a $6.3 million USDA grant awarded in October 2021 to support COVID-19 pandemic recovery for small farms and low-income Californians. NCGA also administers federal and state food access programs including CalFresh EBT, Market Match (a term the organization coined), WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, and Senior FMNP. Complementary programs include the Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program, North Coast Land Match, the Farm to Freezer Project, and the North Coast Food System Network—a regional collaboration addressing cold storage, meat processing, and food sovereignty with tribal partners. NCGA is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors and operated in 2024-2026 under Interim Co-Executive Directors Laura Hughes and Colleen Poe following the departure of prior leadership.

Name

North Coast Growers Association

Legal name

North Coast Growers' Association

Website

https://northcoastgrowersassociation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

North Coast Growers Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1980-81 that operates 10 certified farmers' markets, the Harvest Box CSA, and the Harvest Hub wholesale food hub serving farmers and consumers across Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Farmers' Markets and Local Food Distribution

NAICS

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (424480)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Produce Markets & Greengrocers (CRAHAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fresh Food Subscription/CSA & Produce Box Retail (CRAHAHAG), Local / Farm-to-Wholesale Produce Aggregation & Distribution (AFAIACAG), Natural & Organic Foods Distribution (CRAOABAH)

Keywords

• Farmers' markets
• Local food distribution
• CSA produce boxes
• Wholesale food hub
• Food access programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Arcata

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Farmers' Market Operations: NCGA hosts 10 certified farmers' markets throughout Humboldt County. Revenue is generated through vendor fees and membership dues from farmers and artisan producers.
2. Harvest Hub Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale distribution of local produce to buyers including schools, food banks, tribes, restaurants, and food trucks through the Harvest Hub food hub infrastructure.
3. Harvest Box CSA Program: Multi-farm CSA style produce box pre-ordered online and distributed through pickup sites and home delivery, generating subscription-based revenue.
4. Sponsorships and Donations: Community support through volunteering, donations, and sponsorships. Music sponsorships at markets are offered at $450 (full) and $225 (half). NCGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
5. Agricultural Program Services: Programs including Climate Resilient Farmer Training, Seasoned Farmer Business Series, and grant writing assistance. The Seasoned Farmer Business Series charges $300 for non-members (free for members).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

North Coast Growers Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates 10 certified farmers' markets throughout Humboldt County, the Harvest Box multi-farm CSA produce box subscription with online ordering and home delivery, and the Harvest Hub wholesale food hub that aggregates and distributes locally grown produce to institutional buyers such as schools, food banks, tribes, restaurants and food trucks.

Product overview

North Coast Growers Association operates a portfolio of interconnected programs supporting Humboldt County's local food system. The core offerings include 10 certified farmers' markets providing direct sales venues for local producers, the Harvest Box multi-farm CSA program, and the Harvest Hub wholesale distribution platform. Additional services span agricultural education (Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program, Seasoned Farmer Business Series), land access (North Coast Land Match), food access support (CalFresh, Market Match, WIC programs), food infrastructure (Farm to Freezer, Farm to School), community building (Farmer Gatherings, Humboldt County Grown Podcast), and regional collaboration (North Coast Food System Network, North Coast Agricultural Collaborative). The organization functions as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving over 100 member farmers and artisan producers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Harvest Hub: NCGA's food hub that supports wholesale distribution of locally grown produce to schools, restaurants, tribes, and food banks.
• Harvest Box

Products and services

• Certified Farmers' Markets
• Harvest Box CSA Program
• Harvest Hub Wholesale Distribution
• Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Harvest Hub has helped farmers earn over $1M in wholesale revenue while supplying schools, tribes, and other buyers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCGA partners with CAFF on farmer funding opportunities database, Farm Bill advocacy, and collaborative agricultural initiatives. CAFF is a founding member of NCGA's food systems work.
• California Alliance of Farmers' MarketscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCGA is a founding member of the California Alliance of Farmers' Markets, a coalition committed to working together for the betterment of the industry through Access & Equity, Policy & Advocacy, Best Practices, Professional Development, and Marketing.
• Ecology Center & California Market Match ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCGA joined the Market Match Consortium in 2010 and coined the term 'Market Match'. The Consortium helped create federal (FINI) and state (CNIP) programs for Market Match funding.
• North Coast SBDCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCGA enjoys close partnership with North Coast Small Business Development Center to create workshops and provide one-on-one no-cost farm business advising, including the Seasoned Farmer Business Series.
• UC Cooperative Extension, Humboldt OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCCE Humboldt provides technical assistance and has been involved in development support for the Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program. Also hosts Master Food Preservers program.
• Food for PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood for People is a key partner in CalFresh outreach, Market Match programs, and emergency feeding planning. Also part of CalFresh Task Force and joint Market Match initiatives.
• NRCS Eureka OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCGA partners with NRCS to provide workshops, events, and outreach materials related to climate-smart agriculture programs, reaching historically underserved farmers. NRCS provides funding through programs like EQIP.
• Del Norte & Tribal Lands Community Food Council (DNATL CFC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in North Coast Food System Network and Climate Resilient Farmer Training Program. Leading development of Gather & Grow Food Hub and Resiliency Cold Node Project in Del Norte County.
• Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnering to provide workshops, events, and outreach materials related to NRCS climate-smart agriculture programs.
• City of ArcataminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCity of Arcata hosts the Arcata Plaza Farmers' Market and is a market site host.
• City of EurekaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCity of Eureka hosts multiple farmers' markets including Friday Night Market, Old Town, and Henderson Center.
• United Indian Health Services (UIHS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in tribal food sovereignty initiatives and community wellness gardens.
• Open Door Community Health CentersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through Community Wellness Gardens program and food access initiatives.
• Humboldt County Department of AgricultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in agricultural policy and food system planning.
• Humboldt County Farm BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Humboldt County Ag Day annual conference for school children.
• Organic Seed AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in agricultural research, particularly around organic seed production and dry farming adaptation.
• Yurok Tribe Environmental DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Food Sovereignty Program and tribal food access initiatives.
• Area 1 Agency on AgingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner supporting food access for seniors through Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs.
• Humboldt County WICminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen, Infants & Children program partner for Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.
• Humboldt MademinorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in Friday Night Market in Old Town Eureka and community promotional initiatives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Farm Fresh Rhode Island: Nonfood hub operating farmers' markets, a multi-farm CSA, and farm-to-school wholesale distribution in Rhode Island. Closely mirrors NCGA's three-pillar model (markets + CSA + wholesale hub) within a single regional nonprofit structure.
• CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture): Nonprofit that operates the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in San Francisco and runs food access programs. Directly comparable to NCGA as a nonprofit certified farmers' market operator with education and food access missions, though at larger urban scale.
• Intervale Center: Vermont-based nonprofit operating a food hub, farmer training program, and conservation farming services. Strong peer to NCGA given the combined farmer-training and food hub model under one nonprofit umbrella.
• Local Food Hub: Virginia-based nonprofit food hub aggregating local produce for institutional buyers (schools, hospitals, restaurants). Directly comparable to NCGA's Harvest Hub business line, including farm-to-school distribution.
• Ecology Center: Berkeley-based nonprofit that operates multiple certified farmers' markets and runs the Market Match Consortium (NCGA's stated partner). Highly comparable as a nonprofit farmers' market operator and pioneer of California produce-incentive programs.

Emerging players

• Food System 6: Nonprofit accelerator and peer network for food systems entrepreneurs. Adjacent peer in food-system infrastructure and capacity building, with overlapping funder ecosystem (USDA, foundations).
• Harvie: CSA management software platform powering customizable farm share programs. Directly relevant to NCGA's Harvest Box CSA operations as the technology layer that could either be adopted or competed with as CSA scales.
• Farmers Market Coalition: National nonprofit dedicated to strengthening farmers' markets across the U.S. via policy, training, and research. Comparable to NCGA's market-management and policy-advocacy role but at national scope rather than single-region.

Broad incumbents

• Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF): Statewide California nonprofit advocating for family-scale agriculture and running farmer technical assistance programs. NCGA's listed core partner; broader in geographic scope, comparable in mission and small-farmer support focus.

Regional players

• Oregon Farmers Markets Association: Statewide association supporting farmers' markets in Oregon. Operates in a parallel 'statewide nonprofit for markets' lane to NCGA's county-level model, useful as a regional comparable for organizational scaling.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/north-coast-growers-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about North Coast Growers Association