7 min read

Best Food Hub Software: Tools to Drive Your Food Hub’s Success

Find the best food hub software and apps to simplify orders, manage inventory, and grow customer connections. The right tools can fuel your food hub’s growth.
Vegetables in a plastic crate for food hub
Written by
Tandy Thackeray
Published on
November 13, 2024

Running a food hub isn’t easy—it’s fast-paced, complex, and requires staying on top of a lot of moving pieces. But with the right tools, you can transform those daily challenges into a streamlined operation that makes a real impact. 

Food hubs like ours at Siskiyou Farm Co. do more than distribute food. We connect local producers with the community, empower our local economy, and bring fresh, high-quality food to the table.  And the right food hub software can be your greatest ally, turning challenges into growth opportunities and enabling your hub to reach its fullest potential.

In this blog, I’ll share the best food hub tools and apps that have helped us succeed, along with the key features and benefits of food hub software, including the platform that’s transformed our operations: Local Line.

What is Food Hub Software?

Simply put, food hub software helps food hubs plan, sell, and distribute local food by streamlining inventory, orders, and deliveries, making operations easier and more efficient. 

For food hubs, this software is your operational backbone. It’s designed specifically to handle the demands of food hubs. This software does the heavy lifting so you can focus on growth, community, and impact.

For us at Siskiyou Farm Co., finding the right software was a game-changer. Before Local Line, we were spending hours on manual tasks, trying to juggle orders, create pick lists, and manage inventory by hand. Local Line brought everything together in one place, making our operations smoother and freeing us up to focus on what really matters: serving our community and growing our reach.

Why Use Food Hub Software?

Efficiency to Keep Up with Demand

When you’re managing multiple vendors, products, and orders, efficiency is everything. Food hub software like Local Line automates time-consuming tasks and keeps operations moving without a hitch. That means less time spent on logistics and more time on building relationships, expanding your network, and driving impact.

Better Control Over Your Supply Chain

With real-time tracking, you’ll know exactly what’s in stock and where it’s going. Food hub software helps you avoid waste, prevent stockouts, and stay on top of quality. For us, Local Line’s inventory tools have been a lifesaver, allowing us to deliver consistently without over-ordering or missing items.

And the best part? Local Line gives our producers control over their business profiles, so they can update produce photos, food descriptions, and product availability. This keeps our offerings fresh and accurate while making it easier for us to meet demand confidently.

Stronger Customer Connections

Your customers are at the heart of your food hub, and keeping them engaged is key. Food hub software with built-in CRM tools lets you reach out with personalized offers or coupon codes, seasonal updates, and new product launches. It’s about building loyalty and making sure customers keep coming back for the quality and care they expect.

At Siskiyou Farm Co., we use Local Line to share updates, run promotions, and keep our community excited about what’s coming next. Those connections are the backbone of our growth and a big part of our success.

Top Features to Look for in Food Hub Software

Here’s what matters most in food hub software:

  1. Customer Service: Look for software backed by a team that treats you like a partner. One of the standout reasons we chose Local Line is their commitment to customer service. Their team goes above and beyond, making sure we’re supported at every step and treating our success like their own. 
  2. Inventory Management: Track perishable items accurately, prevent waste, and keep quality high.
  3. Order Management: Handle large and small orders with ease across multiple customer types.
  4. Distribution Tools: Plan efficient delivery routes and schedules to get products out on time, every time.
  5. Payment Processing: Enable seamless transactions through popular payment gateways like LocalPay, Square, and Stripe, offering customers flexible payment options.
  6. Customer and Vendor Management: Keep clear, organized records for all your contacts to streamline communication.
  7. Analytics and Reporting: Get insights into trends, profitability, and inventory performance to drive smarter decisions.
  8. Marketing and CRM Integration: Reach customers with personalized updates that keep them coming back.

Best Food Hub Software Platforms

1. Local Line – The All-in-One Solution

Local Line is our top choice at Siskiyou Farm Co. because it’s designed specifically for food hubs. With features like customizable pricing, weight-based selling, and seamless communication tools, it covers everything we need to run efficiently. Local Line’s delivery management and product organization also make it a perfect fit for both direct-to-consumer (DTC) and wholesale operations.

Learn more about Local Line’s software and features for food hubs

2. Open Food Network – Great for Complex Inventories

Open Food Network is flexible and supports hubs with diverse inventory needs. If your hub works with products that require specialized units and inventory levels, this platform’s adaptability will give you control.

  • Top Features: Custom units, inventory flexibility
  • Best For: Hubs with a wide range of products

3. Local Food Marketplace – Ideal for Integrated Marketing

Local Food Marketplace stands out for its marketing capabilities. The Mailchimp integration makes it easy to stay connected with customers, and the delivery tools make sure you get products out on time.

  • Top Features: Marketing tools, delivery route planning
  • Best For: Hubs looking for built-in marketing features

Choosing the Right Food Hub Software

When selecting software, consider your hub’s size, product range, and the features that will help you grow. Make sure it’s compatible with your existing business tools, easy to use, and scalable for future growth. At Siskiyou Farm Co., Local Line’s ease of use and support made it a natural choice, and it’s scaled with us every step of the way.

Overcoming Challenges with New Software

Bringing in new software can feel daunting, but it’s worth it. Here’s how to make it work:

  • Budget for Software Costs: The upfront investment can be high, but the return on efficiency is worth it.
  • Allow for Adjustment: Take time for onboarding, but know that an intuitive platform like Local Line makes the transition smoother.
  • Get Help with Data Migration: Moving your existing records takes time, but Local Line’s support team makes this easier.

Why We Chose Local Line for Siskiyou Farm Co.

At Siskiyou Farm Co., we reached a point where our day-to-day operations needed a major overhaul. I was manually handling so much—creating pick lists, making order slips, and tracking orders—that the process became overwhelming and time-consuming. Frustration was building, and I knew we needed a system that could make our operations more efficient, allowing us to focus on growth instead of getting bogged down by logistics.

That’s when I started searching for food hub software and discovered Local Line. After a few initial calls with Kyle Haney and Cole Jones, I knew we had found the solution we needed. Local Line offered everything we were looking for: streamlined order management, customizable pricing, and a user-friendly platform adaptable to both our wholesale and retail customers. Since implementing Local Line, our operations have transformed. The software has enabled us to automate tasks, reduce manual labor, and ultimately serve our community with greater ease and consistency.

Download our FREE guide on how to run your food hub on Local Line

The Best Food Hub Software: Local Line

If you’re serious about growing your food hub, Local Line is the partner that will make it happen. I get it—choosing software can feel overwhelming, especially when your work already demands so much. But I’ve been where you are, juggling manual processes, feeling stretched thin, and knowing that there had to be a better way. With Local Line, we didn’t just find software; we found a system that transformed how we operate.

Local Line isn’t just a tool; it’s a reliable partner that truly understands the unique challenges of food hubs. Their team has been with us every step of the way, providing the support and features we need to thrive. From day one, you’ll see how much easier it is to manage orders, connect with vendors, and engage your community—all with the confidence that comes from having a dedicated team behind you.

So, if you’re ready to make your food hub more efficient, impactful, and future-ready, don’t hesitate. Visit Local Line and take the step that will elevate your entire operation. With Local Line, you’re not just investing in software; you’re investing in the future of your hub.

Get started with Local Line

Learn why Local Line is trusted by thousands of farmers and food hubs around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Top Food Hub Software

What are some examples of popular food hubs?

Examples of food hubs include: Common Market, Red Tomato, and Local Roots. These are widely recognized food hubs that connect local producers to broader markets.

How much does food hub software cost?

Costs vary by platform, ranging from approximately $100 to $500 per month, depending on features and hub size.

What is the difference between food hub software and farm management software?

Food hub software focuses on managing orders, inventory, and customer engagement for hubs, whereas farm management software supports crop planning, labor tracking, and on-farm operations.

Can I use food hub software for both wholesale and retail sales?

Yes, many platforms, including Local Line, support both wholesale and direct-to-consumer sales.

Is food hub software suitable for small-scale operations?

Absolutely. Many platforms are scalable, making them suitable for small and large hubs alike.

Does food hub software integrate with payment gateways?

Yes, Local Line integrates with gateways like LocalPay and Square, providing seamless transaction options.

Tandy Thackeray Local Line
Tandy Thackeray
Tandy manages Siskiyou Farm Co., overseeing social media, marketing, and sales, and streamlines the distribution and marketing of locally sourced food products, connecting local producers with consumers.
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