In 2020, local food supply chains were tested and again proved critical to sustaining communities, local economies, and the environment. Many initiatives at CEFS promote the development of local food systems, incentivize institutional players to procure their food locally, or inform consumers about the benefits of eating locally grown products.

To assist consumers looking to stock up on locally raised meat and support nearby farmers in the midst of the pandemic, the NC Choices team quickly mobilized to launch MeatSuite.com earlier than planned. NC Choices knew that local farms had meat available, that locally raised meat supports the state’s economy, including its small-scale processing facilities, and that bulk sales are a win-win for farmers and consumers. MeatSuite.com was the tool needed for this moment and will continue to connect local farmers and consumers in the future. To date, more than 100 farms from across North Carolina are on the site, with more added every week. More than 22,000 consumers have visited the site since its launch. In addition to improving market access, NC Choices also provides tools and technical assistance to beginning farmers interested in affordable land lease opportunities on silvopasture, solar, and land trust lands, showing how collaborations built on shared concern for the land can help grow resilient local economies.

Several CEFS initiatives, including NC Choices and Empowering Mountain Food Systems, have shown how small targeted investments, such as for cold storage and other infrastructure, can allow food businesses to scale up or pivot during times of crisis and also change the long-term economic trajectory of communities.

NC Farm to Early Care and Education connects local farms with early childhood facilities to empower the development of community-based, equitable food systems. Having these relationships in place prior to the pandemic helped early childhood facilities serve nutritious, local foods without disruption. Through this initiative, children also gain an appreciation for local food that they can carry with them throughout their lives.

CEFS’ Farm to School Initiative took action to address food insecurity by providing tools for children and their families to learn how to grow their own food. Seed sharing has a long tradition in numerous communities as an act of supporting each other to feed and nurture the whole community. Farm to School worked with N.C. Cooperative Extension and local partners to distribute seeds and start guides to families at home during school closures. More than 33 NC counties participated with over 12,000 families served.

Community Food Strategies envisioned an alternative model for equitable and participatory grant making and made it happen in 2020. In “shared gifting circles”, North Carolina food councils reviewed proposals and heard pitches from other food councils in their region. The food councils had the power to decide how to distribute micro-grants amongst their fellow food councils.

The NC 10% Campaign continued their efforts to build consumer awareness and demand for local foods, and to develop new markets and connections for farmers and food businesses. In response to declining sales of North Carolina seafood due to the pandemic, the Campaign strategized with partners, such as North Carolina Sea Grant, to study the feasibility of integrating seafood into existing local food home delivery services.