Developing and Promoting Sustainable, Local Food Initiatives

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems develops and promotes food and farming systems that protect the environment, strengthen local communities, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond.  Established as a partnership between NCSU, NCA&T State University, and the NCDepartment of Agriculture and Consumer Services, CEFS was envisioned by and continues to work with state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations, farmers, and citizens on sustainable food systems initiatives.

A shift towards a local and sustainable food economy has benefits, including economic development, farming and food job creation, open space preservation, decreased use of fossil fuel, increased consumer access to fresh foods, and improved food security.  Last year, North Carolinians spent >$35 billion on food.  If all NC residents spent 10 %of their food budgets on local foods ($1.05 per day), $3.48 billion dollars would be generated for the state’s economy annually. Increasing the consumption of fresh, healthy foods can address both disease incidence and health care expenditures, particularly in underserved communities where fresh food is often least accessible.

CEFS launched a Farm to Fork initiative to build NC's local food economy.  More than 1,000 citizens participated, including those working in agriculture, fisheris, community organizing, education, faith, finance, nutrition, philanthropy, planning, public health and policy, small business, government, and outreach.  The Farm to Fork process involved an advisory team, six regional meetings , eleven working-issue teams (WITs), and a statewide summit. Working issue teams were developed around 11 areas: Formalizing the Initiative, Farm-to-School, Institutional and Retail Markets, Public Health and Food Access Disparities, Direct Markets, New and Transitioning Farmer Support, Community Gardens, Land Use and Local Government Initiatives, Youth and Social Networking, Consumer Outreach and Marketing, Processing and other Food Systems Infrastructure. Successes include a comprehensive, action-oriented statewide guide: From Farm to Fork: A Guide to Building North Carolina’s Sustainable Local Food Economy; a listserv with 1000 subscribers & participants; a directory of food system activities (www.ncfoodnet.com); a commitment from NC Cooperative Extension to designate a local food coordinator in every county in the state; legislation establishing a North Carolina Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council (and a youth statewide council is under development); a networking meeting for funders to encourage collaboration around this initiative; and resources to support a 10% Eat Local Campaign, with the largest food service company in the world to participate with all of its NC venues. Lessons learned plus other innovative programs will be reported.