-
MBA Student Supply Chain and Marketing Research Teams
-
Innovations in Economic Development Through Local Foods Regional Gatherings
-
Local Foods as Economic Development
-
Good Agricultural Practices Workshops
-
Local Food Supply Chain Apprentices
-
Postharvest Handling Workshops
-
Supporting Market Growth for Grade 2 Produce
-
Agricultural Entrepreneurship Training
-
Connecting Small and Mid-sized Farmers with Institutional Markets
-
Season Extension Workshops
-
Supply Chain Resource Cooperative Student Projects
-
NC Growing Together and NC Choices Meat Quality Project
-
Developing Resources for Producers and Supply Chain Intermediaries
-
Grower-Buyer Networking Events
-
Produce Grower Tours and Networking at FreshPoint
NC Growing Together
North Carolina Growing Together (NCGT) was a six-year (2013-2018) USDA-funded project led by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems. The overarching goal was to achieve greater food security by enhancing the economic viability of small and mid-scale farms and fishing operations and their communities.
This website archive contains news, resources, research, and other information about the project.
Partners
NC Growing Together was highly collaborative and included dozens of partners from across the state, spanning private, public, government/military, and university sectors. See the About page for more information.
Resources
NC Growing Together produced a large number of resources to support the growth and capacity of the entire local food supply chain including producers, supply chain intermediaries, local/regional food business developers, Cooperative Extension agents, and others. Visit our full library of NC Growing Together resources here.
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Produce Distribution Center (2014)
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
What Do All These Label Claims Really Mean? (2017)
Special Claims and the Approval Process for Niche Meat Production (2014)
Presentation to the Triangle J Council of Government Board of Delegates Meeting
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)
Establishing Partnerships with Food Retailers to Conduct Local and Healthy Food Choice Research (2016)
Maturity Models as a Diagnostic and Resource Mapping Tool for Food Hubs (2014)
Feasibility and Design of a Direct-to-Consumer Produce Box Program (2016)
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)
Food & Farm Financing Summit: SBC Annual Conference, March 2017
ELGL (Emerging Local Government Leaders) Food Economies Webinar
The “Local” Competitive Advantages for Small-Scale Dairies in North Carolina: Profitability Analysis of a Value-Added Product (2015)
Cost Effective Procurement of Local Strawberries from NC (2015)
Keynote Presentation to SBC-SBTDC Annual Conference
Quick Guide to Common Label Claims (2017)
Presentation: Visioning for Healthy Eating (Dan River Health Summit)
Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017)
Adding Value to Local Food (2016)
Scaling a “Local to Local” Solution: Supply Chain Analysis for Delivering Local Fresh Produce to Local Grocery Stores (2014)
ECO Farmer Age and IT Software Research (2014)
Best practices and metrics for dairy farms transitioning conventional dairy operations to on-farm value-added production (2015)
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)
Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and Recommendations
Pack ‘N Cool Construction Manual and Budget
An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: National and State Perspectives (2013)
Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food Programs
The Good Food Schema: Effects of Compelling Messaging for Locally Sourced Meat Products in Grocery Store Settings (2014)
NCGT Shrimp Processing Feasibility Study (2015)
Research
NC Growing Together produced research on many topics relevant to local food supply chain stakeholders. Visit our full library of NC Growing Together research here.
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)
Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)
How it Works Handbook: A Guide to University Food Systems and Local Food Programs (2018)
How to Sell Shell Eggs into Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2015)
Special Claims and the Approval Process for Niche Meat Production (2014)
Breaking Down the Cost of Grassfed Beef (2016)
Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)
For Artisan Cheesemakers: What to Ask and What to Expect When Working with Distributors and Retailers (2016)
Open Forum: Strategies to Help Ag Producers Plan During the COVID-19 Crisis (2021)
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)
NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016)
How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)
Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food Programs
Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)
How to Identify Your Ideal Customers
Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
NC Catch Local Seafood Market Lists (2017)
Bulk Meat Purchase Agreement Template (2020)
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)
SBC-SBTDC REAL Agriculture & Cooperative Extension Curriculum Guide (2017)
NC Growing Together News
View our full newsfeed of NC Growing Together News.
Engaging Videos Highlight the Local Seafood Supply Chain, Local Foods as Economic Development
Waystone Design2018-09-14T21:31:04-04:00July 25th, 2018|
NC Growing Together has partnered with the NC 10% Campaign and Vittles Films to produce videos about local foods.
Whole Crop Harvest Brings Together Supply Chain Partners for Grade 2 Produce
Waystone Design2018-09-14T21:26:58-04:00July 25th, 2018|
Whole Crop Harvest (WCH) is bringing together partners from across the supply chain to reduce on-farm produce loss and increase farmer profitability.
NCGT Building Connections with Small Business Centers to Support Growth of Local Food Economy in North Carolina
Waystone Design2018-09-14T21:15:16-04:00July 25th, 2018|
NC Growing Together is catalyzing ties between food and farm businesses, educators, Cooperative Extension staff, and Small Business Centers (SBC) across the state to build business support and education for a thriving local food economy.
NC Farm to Early Care and Education Brings Together Children, Food, and Community
Waystone Design2018-09-14T21:08:31-04:00July 25th, 2018|
In collaboration with early educators, CEFS' Farm to Early Care and Education (NC Farm to ECE) Initiative created a series of eye-catching posters for young children that portray farmers and the vegetables they grow for their community - specifically highlighting women farmers and farmers of color.