Access to pallet deals.
Combine store orders to pursue qualifying promotional pallet pricing, then share the quantity among participating grocers.
Our Work / North Central Food Hub Big buying power.
The vision, made visible · Rural North Dakota
Big buying power.
Small-town possibilities.
A shared hub could help rural grocers buy together, order only what they need, and connect more local food with the communities around them.
01 / Follow the connections
One hub.
Two connected paths.
Choose a path, then follow the four steps to see how food and payments move through the intended model.
Shared buying / Step 1 of 4
Small stores. Shared pallet deals.
Independent grocers combine demand for selected products offered through qualifying pallet promotions. Together, their orders can meet the supplier’s pallet quantity for the deal.
The goal: share promotional pallet pricing without each store buying a full pallet.
Conceptual model · In development. Routes, services, and purchasing terms will be refined with participating partners.
02 / Try the idea
Share a pallet deal.
Or split a case.
Qualifying pallet promotions let grocers share the deal without each buying a whole pallet. Splitting eligible cases helps stores carry customer favorites in quantities they expect to sell.
Illustrative example
A larger purchase.
A smaller share.
Imagine a qualifying promotional pallet of 24 cases shared by three stores. Grocers combine orders to access the pallet deal, then each store takes its share. The focus is selected pallet offers.
- Your store
- 8 cases
- Store B
- 8 cases
- Store C
- 8 cases
The 24-case pallet is illustrative. Pallet splitting applies to qualifying promotional deals. Actual offers, order sizes, products eligible for splitting, availability, and final costs will depend on supplier terms and hub operations.
03 / Why it matters
A stronger connection.
More rural possibilities.
Favorites & more variety.
Keep slow-moving customer favorites on the shelf and make room for more choices, with less risk of products outdating.
More local market access.
Connect producers with storage opportunities and a broader group of stores, restaurants, and institutions.
Part of our work
A shared vision.
Practical work ahead.
The North Central Regional Grocery & Local Food Hub Initiative is developing a regional approach to purchasing and distribution, with a planned hub in Velva’s former Dot’s Pretzels facility.
The initiative is led by the Rural Development Finance Corporation with support from NDAREC and other partners. Vedaa Consulting contributes grocery and distributor relationships, marketing, operational coordination, and practical development support.