Oceanic Ascent Education Inc. AKA Guahan Sustainable Culture is establishing a cooperative food hub in Guam that connects small-scale local farmers to institutional and commercial buyers, including schools, hospitals, government cafeterias, and hotels. By providing aggregation, sorting, cold storage, delivery, and logistical support, GSC enables farmers, many from low-income areas, to access markets that were previously out of reach, while ensuring fair compensation and transparent pricing. Governance is shared with producers through an advisory council, giving farmers decision-making power over hub operations. The hub also streamlines institutional procurement by navigating insurance, bidding, and invoicing requirements, making local sourcing operationally feasible. Through these efforts, GSC strengthens farmer livelihoods, builds resilient local food systems, and creates a replicable model for small island communities seeking to reduce import dependency and expand culturally relevant, locally grown food in institutional settings.
