by Ashley See, CFSA Communications Manager | Monday, Mar. 8, 2021 –

This Week at CFSA grid of speakers for February 2021

In 2021, we’re trying something different for our “This Week at CFSA” broadcasts.

Based on your feedback, we learned that you would enjoy a deeper dive into subjects–lasting more than 15-20 minutes at a time. So, we’re doing just that! Each month, we’ll select a theme and invite a guest or two to join us each Friday morning to explore an aspect of that theme. Aspects may include farm visits, farmer interviews, policy updates or breakdowns, or even an overview of what something is.

New to “This Week at CFSA”? We go live every Friday at 10 a.m. for 15-20 minutes to discuss the latest issues in sustainable food and farming. We center the discussion around what it means for those interested in local food in the Carolinas. The series launched in May 2020, and we did 26 broadcasts throughout 2020.

This February, our theme was hunger and food access. We covered: growing crops for donation, food as a human right, the importance of food hubs, and the importance of food banks. As you’ll see below, each discussion is centered around local food and farms.

In case you missed them, we’ve got you.

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by Nick Wood, CFSA Policy Director | Thursday, Jul. 23, 2020 —

Millions of people are going hungry as COVID-19 continues to devastate the economy and Carolinians are rising to the challenge! More than 70 organizations in North and South Carolina sent a letter to Congress today calling on them to take action that would allow local food businesses to accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards online and increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) benefits in the next COVID 19 relief package.

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by Nick Wood, CFSA Advocacy Manager | Friday, Aug. 13, 2021 – 

Action Alert banner from 8/6 with WIN displayed over the top of the text

The North Carolina House of Representatives approved its proposal for the 2021-2022 state budget this week—and it includes $2 million for CFSA’s FarmsSHARE program!

FarmsSHARE was created as a response to the need for emergency food relief due to the pandemic; it provides a free, weekly box of locally-grown food from small, sustainable Carolina farms to households in need across NC.

This funding in the House budget is a huge first step in securing state support to continue FarmsSHARE and a win for local farms, food hubs, and people in need of healthy food. Next, the NC House and Senate will appoint a joint committee to work out the differences between the two chambers’ spending proposals, and CFSA will be working to make sure this funding is included in the House/Senate compromise budget!

The proposed $2 million from the state would provide approximately 47,000 CSA-style boxes of produce and proteins sourced from 80 local farms and 10 food hubs to 6,000 families in need at no cost to them. The funding would also create nearly $3.5 million in additional economic activity, according to the Local Food Impact Calculator.

We’re one step closer to feeding thousands of North Carolina families and investing in our small farms and local food businesses during this time of crisis. Thanks to all of you for making calls to legislators, sharing posts on social media, and for your interest in this issue. Your support and advocacy make a crucial difference!

Subscribe to our Action Alerts to receive an email the next time there’s an opportunity to take action to support FarmsSHARE as the budget process unfolds!

 

 

 

by Marianna Spence, CFSA Membership Coordinator | Nov. 15, 2016 – 

We all can agree that food, health, and agriculture have a huge impact on the quality of life in our local communities. But how can local leaders and community members address issues and work together to improve local policy, food access, farming and economic development, and community health?

“I’ve been working in this county for a long time, and starting our food council has been the most thoughtful, inclusive process I’ve ever been a part of,” said Alice Keene, Pitt County Recreation Projects Coordinator, who has been with the City of Greenville and Pitt County, North Carolina, for 43 years.

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