Supporting wholesale market access for socially disadvantaged producers: A community-centered planning and evaluation model

This study develops a planning and evaluation model to assess the technical assistance needs of socially disadvantaged agricultural producers seeking access to wholesale markets. The increasing demand for local foods in wholesale markets presents opportunities for socially disadvantaged producers to support social and economic growth. However, these producers face systemic barriers to accessing financial and technical assistance necessary for wholesale market participation. Four rounds of structured expert consultation were used to develop and refine a logic model conceptually. It integrates community assets and wholesale readiness requirements to guide program design, stakeholder engagement, and policy evaluation. This framework offers an adaptable planning tool for advancing equity and strengthening inclusive regional food systems.