The Supply Chain Internship out of the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) supports local food hubs in increasing their capacity to connect farmers with institutional markets. The Farm to Senior Services (F2SS) program is based in three pilot counties across North Carolina and aims to increase local food procurement in county-based senior food services. During summer 2021, three supply chain interns were based at different food hubs where they improved their professional skills while moving the goals of the pilot program forward. In addition to working with the host sites, the interns participated in field trips to other food hubs, area farms as well as to CEFS’ Field Research, Education, and Outreach Facility located at Cherry Research Farm in Goldsboro, NC; the interns also participated in racial equity in the food system training and career development training.
Alice Lu was based at the Sandhills AGInnovation Center in Scotland County. Alice focused on promotion and marketing for the SandhillsAGInnovation Center, including a revamp of their website. Alice also supported their social media plans, created and promoted online farmer profiles, and helped pack CSA-style boxes that were distributed to local community members. After the internship, Alice is working on completing a Master of Public Health degree at UNC Chapel Hill.
Enoch Sarku was hosted by Working Landscapes, a nonprofit rural development organization based in Warren County. Enoch developed an effective cash flow analysis to help reduce costs while scaling production, a tool to help analyze new recipe additions, and a labor cost distribution chart. In Enoch’s words, “my experience was priceless, adding costing to my skills.” Post internship, Enoch is continuing to work towards a Ph.D. in computational science and engineering at N.C. A&T State University.
Tim Burke interned at Foothills Food Hub in McDowell County after graduating from N.C. A&T State University with a master’s degree in agricultural education. Tim supported relationship building between the Foothills Food Hub, NC Farmers of the Foothills, and the McDowell Senior Center. He helped plan, pack, and coordinate logistics for CSA-style boxes distributed to community members and supported data collection on senior food service requirements and procurement to identify potential local food products. Currently, Tim is volunteering at the food hub, working on farm infrastructure projects on his family farm, and managing the Airbnb located onsite.
According to post-internship surveys, interns increased their understanding and knowledge of the benefits of more local food being made available to seniors, the challenges farmers face in selling to senior centers or food hubs, and the challenges faced by senior centers in purchasing more food from local farmers. The Farm to Senior Services team appreciates the contributions that Alice, Tim, and Enoch made to local supply chains in North Carolina.
Find project updates: cefs.ncsu.edu/farm-to-senior-
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is a partnership of North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. CEFS develops and promotes just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond. For more information please visit www.cefs.ncsu.edu