The city has appointed locally-based company Growing Change to explore viable business management and operating structures for developing a hub. 

Community wellbeing acting director Marg Allan said the investigation followed on from the city's recent work, including the Food Security Report and Active Living Census.

"Food hubs can deliver food directly from farms to people's forks and can increase the profits and business opportunities for small farms. They can become central to coordinating emergency food relief and improving purchasing options for fresh and seasonal locally-produced fresh food," she said. 

Ms Allan said food hubs typically consisted of a combination of food relief, education and production and examples in Australia and overseas show a positive contribution economically, socially and environmentally to communities. 

"They connect up parts of the local food system and can improve the level of access and consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables within the community," she said. 

"It is envisaged the city will help to guide potential development of a food hub and work with a range of local organisations, but will not take a lead role in running the food hub or ongoing management."

The feasibility study will also investigate the best locations for a food hub.

The preliminary findings of the feasibility study will be discussed at the Bendigo Town Hall on June 16.