The Kentucky Value Chain Collaborative (KYVCC) seeks to build on existing efforts to build a more vibrant and connected local food system in Kentucky. With generous support from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, The Food Connection employs value chain coordinators(VCCs) to support farmers in cultivating meaningful and sustainable markets for their local food products and relationships with scale-appropriate distribution channels. The VCCs serve a number of roles (market matchmaking, technical assistance, relationship building, innovating ideas, resource prospecting, research & assessment) to meet farmers where they are and assist them with selling their products and meeting the demand for locally grown food in a coordinated and collaborative way with an emphasis on institutional/food service markets.