WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester Regional Food Hub breaks ground at what will be its new home in Union Station.

The Hub's goal is to create opportunities for both entrepreneurs and farmers and further strengthening the region’s food system.

Since it was created in 2015, it's become a strategic wholesaler of fresh fruits and vegetables to many of the region’s schools and businesses... and an incubator for local chefs and entrepreneurs to start restaurants, catering businesses and food trucks.

The Food Hub’s new location is also considered the transportation hub of Central Massachusetts.  

“Our work at the Food Hub is really focused around food equity and economic development," said director Shon Raindford. “We've helped support around 200 food businesses that are either new or growing. Out of those 200, the majority are immigrants from all around the world. Some of these restaurants you may recognize. We have helped launch brick-and-mortar restaurants.”

“Already, the Food Hub is connecting dozens of farmers with local schools, workplaces, hospitals and local restaurants so that people in Central Massachusetts can enjoy fruits and vegetables that were grown down the road instead of across the globe,” said Congressman Jim McGovern.

The Union Station location will include five production kitchens, a multi-purpose events and community space, and increased cold and dry storage space.

It's set to open within the next year.