The LEAP Hub

At the end of 2021, LEAP was awarded $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to enhance local food systems and support urban agriculture. LEAP invested in the West End neighborhood, a community where we first put down roots more than a decade ago.
‍
Inside The LEAP Hub, we constructed offices and a food distribution center, where produce and proteins are delivered from area farms and regional food hubs, then packed onto our mobile market, into our farm shares, and delivered to our Community Produce Program partners.

In 2024, we will be opening a retail store to give our community greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables. To find more information about this project, see the Retail Store section, under Find Food.

Image of the mural in the West End Community Room

The Gathering Place

At the front corner of The LEAP Hub, behind large plate glass windows, a stunning work of art covers one wall. This is The Gathering Place, a room designed to be used by the community.

If you’re in search of a place to meet, teach a class, or host a community conversation, let us know. We have guidelines in place for use of the room . We prioritize groups who work in the West End and groups working on subjects including food access, food systems, nutrition, and local agriculture. To request use of the room, fill out this form .
‍
Questions? Email info@leapforlocalfood.org

Image of a community dinner at the LEAP West End community center

West End Community Dinners

Before 2020, there was a beautiful, organic coming together of the West End community, over meals on Wednesday nights in the pavilion behind the Freedom First Credit Union branch at 1210 Patterson Ave. The food was donated by the Roanoke Co+op; the space was provided by LEAP. Volunteers helped cook and serve the food.

These community dinners returned in 2023, with a familiar framework: On the third Wednesday of the month, participants were invited to gather at the pavilion outside the LEAP Kitchen for a free meal, open to everyone, beginning at 5:30 pm. The kickoff dinner happened on Wednesday, April 19, and continued monthly through November. Huge thanks to all who made these dinners a great success!

Also in the West End

West End Farmers Market

Every Tuesday, from 3 to 6 pm, year round, rain or shine, LEAP hosts farmers, bakers, and food producers for a hearty mid-week market. All are invited to shop and connect with neighbors. Find more details in the West End Farmers Market section of Find Food. All LEAP markets accept and match SNAP benefits.

The LEAP Kitchen

Inside this shared commercial kitchen, 30-plus food producers bake, cook, and create. If you have a business that would benefit from access to a licensed kitchen, let us know. Find out more in the LEAP Kitchen section of Cultivate Food.

LEAP’s Community Gardens

LEAP manages three community gardens. Two of them are located on the edges of the West End community – Hurt Park Community Garden and Mountain View Community Garden. If you’d like to try your hand at growing or just connect with a great group of people, head to the Community Gardens section of Cultivate Food to learn more.

leap in the west end