In a recent meeting, Lisa McMullen, representing Harvest Hub, presented an overview of the Short Street Project, a culinary initiative located in Kernersville. Established in 2021 during the pandemic, the project has transformed a former water testing facility into a fully integrated food hub, innovation lab, and culinary incubator, aimed at supporting underserved farmers and food entrepreneurs.

McMullen highlighted the facility's role in providing essential resources and support to a diverse range of culinary professionals, including chefs, food trucks, and meal prep planners. Over the past two years, Short Street has become a vital community asset, addressing the lack of food infrastructure identified in a recent Piedmont Triad Regional Council study.

The project, which has been privately funded, recently achieved nonprofit status as Harvest Hub, allowing it to access local, state, and federal funding to further support its members. McMullen emphasized the importance of this designation in subsidizing operations and expanding services for local food entrepreneurs.

Short Street is also set to launch a USDA oversight program, enabling members involved in meat and poultry to wholesale their products across state lines. McMullen noted that the facility has garnered interest from other municipalities looking to replicate its model, although the focus remains on developing its current operations.

In addition to its culinary initiatives, Harvest Hub is committed to empowering women in food product development through programs like Her Kitchen and partnerships with organizations such as Pearl Milling Company. The Short Street to Success incubator program offers comprehensive support for aspiring food businesses, covering everything from business setup to marketing.

McMullen concluded her presentation by inviting town officials to visit Short Street, meet its members, and explore potential collaborations. She expressed a desire for the town to formally recognize Short Street as a community asset, reflecting the significant investment and effort put into the project over the past two and a half years. The meeting also included a request for street closures for an upcoming 5K event organized by Savage Roasters, further emphasizing the community's engagement in local initiatives.