If organizers can “grow” enough community support, the concept of a virtual farmers market will take root right here in Michiana.

The Niles Food Hub — a loosely-structured initiative that, well, sprouted out of the Niles Entrepreneurial and Culinary Incubator — is looking to take a big leap into the 21st Century by creating what could best be called a digital version of old-time roadside produce markets.

The idea is to use an online system called Local Orbit, which grew out of a hugely successful program in Rhode Island, to connect commercial agricultural product buyers — restaurants, institutions that include schools and hospitals, markets and retail shops — with local producers trying to sell their goods.

“The eat local/local food movement is about creating a sustainable local food system so that we know where our food comes from, how it was produced and who grew it. It’s about saving our small to medium farms by leveraging our limited resources to connect them with local markets and restaurateurs,” said Lisa Croteau, program manager of the Niles DDA Main Street and the NECI.

“It’s about working together to create a sustainable system that values and protects our local food sources, our farms and our farmers. In doing this, we will not only be able to know and trust that the food we are eating is safe and healthy and good for us, we will be able to strengthen the local economy by putting our money back into our local economy. From the farmer to the market to the restaurateur, by supporting our local businesses, we become a stronger community.”

The market would be open to any agriculture-based business, ranging from produce farmers to livestock producers to those who manufacture homemade goods such as goat’s milk soap.

The market would work like this:

Farmers could log in to the website and list the goods they have for sale. Commercial buyers would be able to place an order by Tuesday of each week and then pick the order up at the market Thursday morning. The Local Orbit site would handle all the financial transactions.

Registration for both producers and buyers is free. Those selling goods would pay 17 percent fee on transactions — seven percent going for the administration of the site and 10 percent being reinvested in making the Food Hub self-sustaining and helping farmers gain the certifications needed to sell to institutions like schools and hospitals.

The distribution point would be at the French Market, located at the corner of Front and Main streets, a staple in the community since 2006. To get the program off the ground, organizers are hoping to have 12 producers and 36 commercial buyers committed to the system by April 30. The market opens in late May and runs through the fall. If needed, there are options within the city that could serve as an indoor market and hub through winter months, Croteau said.

“I’ve talked to people using it,” Croteau said, mentioning successful programs across the country and in areas of the state including the Upper Peninsula, Lansing and Ann Arbor. “It is working wonderfully.”

To help get this initiative off the ground, Croteau will host a series of meetings over the next few weeks to gauge interest and get signed up. Meetings include:

• Wednesday, March 19: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• Friday, March 21: 9-11 a.m.

• Saturday, March 22: 1-3 p.m.

• Tuesday, March 25: 5-7 p.m.

• Wednesday, March 26: 12-2 p.m.

• Friday, March 28: 9-11 a.m.

Anyone interested is encouraged to attend one of the sessions at the NECI, 219 N. Fourth St., or contact Croteau at 269-687-4332 or nilesmainstreet@sbcglobal.net.

“Our location makes it a no-brainer,” she said. “We are in the heart of one of richest agricultural regions in the whole country. …This is a natural resource that we have. Local restaurants want to buy local food but there is no central purchase point.”