West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition

What West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition does

The West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition (WVFFC) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered at 6503 Roosevelt Ave., Charleston, WV 25304, with 11-50 employees. Its mission is to build resilient and sustainable local food systems across West Virginia by connecting small-scale farmers, farmers markets, SNAP recipients, schools, healthcare providers, and rural grocery stores through an integrated portfolio of programs. Core programs include SNAP Stretch (a GusNIP-administered benefit-matching program now operating at 19+ farmers markets, which grew 600% and supports 2,000+ West Virginia families), Mountain State Market Academy (a six-month accelerator launched in 2026 for value-added food producers focused on FDA compliance), FarmFreshWV (a statewide marketing campaign with an interactive zip code-based market locator showing SNAP/WIC acceptance), CRAFT Tours (peer-to-peer farmer training), Foodshed Development, WV Rural Grocer Network, Policy Advocacy, and Placemaking. The coalition also runs a Service Learning Internship program for high school students and hosts Local Food and Farms Day at the state capitol.

The organization's underlying technology footprint is modest: the FarmFreshWV website is the primary digital asset, providing an interactive market locator map by zip code or town with SNAP/WIC acceptance flagging, supported by a multi-channel advertising campaign (radio, TV, billboards, social media). Distribution is primarily physical and policy-driven, channeled through partner farmers markets, food hubs (including Wild Ramp in Huntington, Highland Market in Davis, Green Grocer in Alderson), and the Mountain State CoHop marketing cooperative for broader mid-Atlantic reach.

WVFFC's business model is nonprofit grant-funded rather than revenue-generating. Funding sources include USDA Rural Development, USDA/FNS through GusNIP, West Virginia state legislative appropriations, foundation grants, and individual donations via Givebutter. Disclosed funding includes $360,000 in 2025 state legislative funding, $1.6 million in 2024 USDA Rural Development investment, $704,000 in 2021 federal funding, and over $1 million in 2019. Programs and services are largely provided at no direct cost to farmers and SNAP recipients; the Mountain State Market Academy accelerator may involve paid process authority reviews after initial covered submissions. The organization's GTM motion is community-led, event-driven, and sales-led (via the MSMA accelerator), with no equity shareholders, parent company, or M&A activity.

Name

West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition

Legal name

The West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition

Website

https://wvfoodandfarm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition is a Charleston, WV-based nonprofit that builds resilient local food systems by connecting small farmers, farmers markets, SNAP recipients, schools, and healthcare providers through programs including SNAP Stretch, Mountain State Market Academy, FarmFreshWV, and CRAFT farmer training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Food System Advocacy Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (624210), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Social & Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) for Nutrition (BPADAJAK)

Keywords

• Food system advocacy
• Farmer training programs
• Local food systems
• SNAP benefit matching
• Rural food access

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: WVFFC receives grant funding from federal programs (USDA Rural Development, GusNIP), state legislative appropriations, and foundation grants to support programs like SNAP Stretch and healthy food initiatives
2. Donations: The organization accepts donations through platforms like Givebutter for the Grow This Challenge and general organizational support

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition (WVFFC) is a nonprofit organization that operates a portfolio of interconnected programs to build resilient and sustainable food systems in West Virginia. Its core offerings include the SNAP Stretch benefit-matching program at farmers markets, the Mountain State Market Academy accelerator for value-added food producers, the FarmFreshWV marketing campaign with an interactive market locator, CRAFT peer-to-peer farmer training tours, Foodshed Development, the WV Rural Grocer Network, policy advocacy at the state level, and a youth Service Learning Internship.

Product overview

The West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition is a nonprofit organization operating a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on building resilient and sustainable food systems in West Virginia. The core offerings include SNAP Stretch (a SNAP benefit matching program at farmers markets), Mountain State Market Academy (a six-month accelerator for value-added food producers), FarmFreshWV (a statewide farmers market marketing campaign), CRAFT Tours (farmer training through farm tours), and the Service Learning Internship (youth agriculture education). Supporting programs include Foodshed Development, WV Rural Grocer Network, Policy Advocacy, and Placemaking initiatives. The organization also provides resources including the Hops Growing Toolkit and educational guides on federal programs. These programs work together to support local farmers, improve food access, and strengthen the regional food economy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FarmFreshWV: Advertising campaign to promote awareness of local farmers markets throughout West Virginia and increase sales
• WV CRAFT
• Mountain State Market Academy (MSMA)
• SNAP Stretch

Products and services

• SNAP Stretch A SNAP benefit matching program that incentivizes healthy eating at farmers markets by matching SNAP dollars spent, effectively doubling or tripling food assistance benefits for purchasing fresh produce. Operates at 19+ farmers markets across West Virginia.
• Mountain State Market Academy A six-month customized accelerator program built for value-added product makers and entrepreneurs, providing tailored technical assistance to help participants achieve FDA compliance and scale their businesses.
• FarmFreshWV A statewide marketing campaign promoting awareness of local farmers markets throughout West Virginia and increasing sales through advertising, an interactive market locator website, and promotional materials.
• CRAFT Tours (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) A farmer-led, peer-to-peer learning program offering virtual and in-person farm tours and roundtable discussions across West Virginia for young, beginning, and experienced farmers to learn about specific agricultural topics.
• Foodshed Development Initiative focused on developing regional food systems to strengthen the local food economy and improve access to healthy foods across West Virginia communities.
• WV Rural Grocer Network Network supporting rural grocery stores in West Virginia to increase access to healthy foods in underserved communities.
• Service Learning Internship A paid high school internship program providing students with host site placement experience, online curriculum, professional development, and education in local food systems and youth entrepreneurship.
• Local Food and Farms Day Annual event celebrating and promoting local food producers and farms in West Virginia, held at the state capitol.
• Policy Advocacy Advocacy efforts to influence food and agricultural policy at the state level to support local farmers and improve food access.
• Placemaking Program focused on creating vibrant community spaces that support local food systems and strengthen community connections to local agriculture.
• Hops Growing Toolkit A comprehensive toolkit developed with Mountain State Co-Hop and funded by NE SARE grant, covering the entirety of hops farming process from soil selection to harvesting to aid farmers in making informed decisions regarding hops production.
• Farmers' Guide to the Inflation Reduction Act 2022 Educational resource explaining the IRA's farm loan relief program providing $1.3 billion in debt relief for 36,000 farmers, as well as discrimination financial assistance programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1.3 Million returned to local producers since 2012
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• USDA/FNS (Food and Nutrition Service)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021WVFFC partners with USDA through the GusNIP (Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program) to operate SNAP Stretch, which provides matching funds for SNAP purchases at participating farmers markets, increasing access to fresh produce for low-income West Virginians while supporting local farmers.
• Mountain State CoHopcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA marketing cooperative moving qualifying products to markets across West Virginia and the mid-Atlantic region. Mountain State Market Academy graduates may apply to join this cooperative.
• WV Small Business Development CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing business resources for farmers and entrepreneurs starting or growing their operations.
• WV Forest Farming InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative effort of six partner organizations to grow a thriving ecosystem and economy for non-timber forest products in the Mountain State.
• The Yew Mountain CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated on a 500-acre nature preserve among the forests and farms of West Virginia, providing resources and educational opportunities.
• Potomac Highlands Food and Farm Initiative (Highland Market)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns the Highland Market in Davis, WV - another nonprofit food hub playing a similar role in strengthening the food and farm economy in the Potomac Highlands region.
• Alderson Community Food Hub (Green Grocer)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative of the Alderson Community Food Hub operating the Green Grocer in Alderson, helping strengthen the regional food and farm economy.
• Land For GoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides the Build-A-Lease tool to help farmers and landowners develop solid farm lease agreements with proper legal foundation.
• WVU Extension ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with WVU Extension on programs like Kids Pop Up Markets, bringing farmers markets to schools and educating students about healthy food.
• WV Department of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on healthy food initiatives and programs bringing farmers markets and fresh produce to schools and communities.
• Farmers Market CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization supporting farmers markets; WVFFC provides resources and links to the coalition for farmers market operators.
• WV Farmers Market AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level association supporting farmers markets across West Virginia; resources and partnership links provided.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FoodCorps: National nonprofit connecting kids to healthy food through schools, with strong overlap in farm-to-school and youth food-system programming that mirrors WVFFC's Service Learning Internship and Kids Pop Up Markets.
• Carolina Farm Stewardship Association: Regional sustainable-agriculture and food-system coalition serving the Carolinas with farmer training, advocacy, and local-food programming; highly comparable coalition structure and stakeholder base.
• The Food Trust: Nonprofit focused on food access, healthy corner stores, and farmers-market incentive programs; comparable in combining SNAP incentives, farmer-market support, and policy advocacy.
• Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture: North Carolina-based nonprofit supporting small farmers and local food systems through training, market access, and food-access programming; comparable community-coalition model serving a rural Appalachian-adjacent region.
• Appalachian Sustainable Development: Regional nonprofit building food systems across southern Appalachia through farmer training, market access, and food access programs; the closest direct analogue to WVFFC by mission, geography, and program mix.
• Local Food Hub (Virginia): Regional food hub aggregator that connects small farmers to institutional buyers and food-access programs; closely comparable distribution-channel role to Wild Ramp and WVFFC's foodshed work.
• Fair Food Network (Double Up Food Bucks): Operates the Double Up Food Bucks SNAP-incentive program, the national template that SNAP Stretch is modeled on; directly comparable mission, mechanism, and policy-advocacy work.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America (national network): National hunger-relief umbrella with affiliated food banks in West Virginia; overlapping food-access mission at a much larger scale but with a relief rather than producer-development orientation.

Regional players

• West Virginia Foodlink: West Virginia food-system resource network connecting consumers to local farms; operates in the same state and adjacent food-discovery / market-locator niche as WVFFC's FarmFreshWV.
• Community Food Bank of West Virginia: West Virginia-focused food-relief nonprofit operating food distribution and nutrition programs; comparable geography and food-access mission, but focused on emergency food rather than producer-side development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/wvfoodandfarmcoalition
• Facebookfacebook.com/WestVirginiaFoodFarmCoalition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-west-virginia-food-and-farm-coalition
• Instagraminstagram.com/wvfoodandfarmcoalition

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition