Buying locally and supporting local farms can have community, health, economic, and environmental benefits. According to the NC 10% Campaign, “dollars spent at local businesses re-circulate to multiply their impact in the local community.” Also, buying directly from local farms can increase community access to fresh fruits and vegetables as well as locally-raised meats.
Supporting your local food system may seem like an insurmountable task, too vast to tackle if you’re not in the world of agriculture, but it can be very simple. Although concerned, many people may not know how to support their local food system beyond shopping at their local farmers market. This article presents a few other ways you can support your local farmers and food systems workers!
Here are a few ways you can support your local food system:
1. Buy Directly from Local Farmers
A fool-proof way to support your local food system is to buy directly from a farmer. Going to the farmers market is always a great option, and if you’re interested in taking it a step further, join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Through Community Supported Agriculture, consumers and farmers form economic partnerships consisting of “a community of individuals [pledging] support to a farm operation” with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production (Demuth, et al, 1993). Community members invest directly into a farmer’s production and in return, receive fruit, vegetables, meats and other local foods. Regional sales make up the majority of transactions at local small-scale farms, so it’s important for the local community to commit their continuous support. CSAs provide smaller scale farmers with steady income to cover costs of farming, keeping local farmers on their land and supplying the community with better access to local fresh food. There are many CSAs in North Carolina. Find a directory of CSAs in North Carolina and other CSA resources here.
Sourcing locally raised meats is another way you can buy directly from a farmer. It is cost-effective and advantageous for the farm and contributes to strengthening the local community financially. On MeatSuite.com, you can search for farms in your neighborhood or by species across the region.
2. Volunteer at a Local Farm or Community Garden
Small farms can always use a helping hand! Volunteering at a farm is a hands-on approach to help support the daily operations and production of local foods. It is a great opportunity to meet other people dedicated to supporting their local food community and to learn tips on caring for farm animals or harvesting different fruits and vegetables! Some farmers, though not guaranteed, may even give you produce in exchange for your assistance. There are many small farms in North Carolina that could use volunteers, but one great example is the Agroecology Education Farm in Wake County, North Carolina.
Volunteering at community gardens can also be rewarding. Community gardens provide a space for people to come together to plant fruits, vegetables and herbs, encouraging community togetherness in neighborhoods and schools. They can also act to improve and beautify cities when placed on open land or in vacant lots. Volunteering at community gardens is a great way to learn sustainable practices such as composting, growing native plants, and conserving rainwater. Find ways to get connected and volunteer at community gardens near you.
Can’t make it to the local farm or community garden? Starting your own garden is a great step in the right direction. Explore these resources to help you along the way! You can also refer to this guide to find tips on growing a community garden.
3. Shop in Season
Buying fruits and vegetables that are in season is a great way to support your local food system! In season foods are likely to be more nutritious because they’ll be fresher coming from a local farm which won’t typically require as much transportation. By buying food in season, you’re recognizing the natural limits of the seasons! This option requires researching which crops are in season, and then finding recipes to incorporate those local foods into your meal plan. To take it a step further, whenever you dine out, choose restaurants that source food locally. Click here for a guide, organized by month, of seasonal foods in North Carolina. The guide is also available in Spanish. Find other resources from the NC 10% Campaign here.
4. Attend a Farm to Fork Event
North Carolina has a few different events that showcase, support, and fundraise for the local food community. There is a Farm to Fork Picnic in the Triangle, taking place this June at Fearrington Village, and another picnic in Charlotte, North Carolina, taking place in September. The Farm to Fork events celebrate our local food community and the people who work so hard to bring delicious local foods to our plates year-round. Net proceeds from the Picnic support agriculture and food system training programs at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and align with our mission to improve the local food system and access to healthy, local food.
5. Join the Agriculture Community
Want to make a difference in agriculture and improve your local food system? Be the change you want to see and consider a career in agriculture! Becoming a part of your local food system is the best form of support! There are many options available in the state to intern or apprentice with a local farmer, food business, researcher, or food systems organization. Explore these career pathways to find which program is right for you!