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MBA Student Supply Chain and Marketing Research Teams
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Innovations in Economic Development Through Local Foods Regional Gatherings
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Local Foods as Economic Development
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Good Agricultural Practices Workshops
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Local Food Supply Chain Apprentices
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Postharvest Handling Workshops
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Supporting Market Growth for Grade 2 Produce
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Agricultural Entrepreneurship Training
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Connecting Small and Mid-sized Farmers with Institutional Markets
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Season Extension Workshops
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Supply Chain Resource Cooperative Student Projects
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NC Growing Together and NC Choices Meat Quality Project
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Developing Resources for Producers and Supply Chain Intermediaries
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Grower-Buyer Networking Events
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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.
Project Meatball: The Business Case for a New Product Venture (2016)
NC Catch Local Seafood Market Lists (2017)
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)
Cost Effective Procurement of Local Strawberries from NC (2015)
Supply Chain Analysis for Grower-Based Distributors: Feasibility of Bagged Frozen Produce for Sale in Grocery Chain Retailers (2014)
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)
Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC (2017)
How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)
Presentation to the Triangle J Council of Government Board of Delegates Meeting
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)
Economic Development for Extension Agents at Annual Extension Conference
NC 10 Percent & NCGT: Grower-Buyer Connections Event Planning Guide (2024)
Webinar: North Carolina Councils of Government and Local Food Economies
The Good Food Schema: Effects of Compelling Messaging for Locally Sourced Meat Products in Grocery Store Settings (2014)
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
Comparing Entrepreneurial Solutions to Local Food Distribution (2016)
Establishing Partnerships with Food Retailers to Conduct Local and Healthy Food Choice Research (2016)
Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)
North Carolina Niche Meat Producers Survey (2013)
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Produce Distribution Center (2014)
North Carolina Farmstead Creamery Survey Report (2015)
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
Pack ‘N Cool Construction Manual and Budget
NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018)
The “Local” Competitive Advantages for Small-Scale Dairies in North Carolina: Profitability Analysis of a Value-Added Product (2015)
For Artisan Cheesemakers: What to Ask and What to Expect When Working with Distributors and Retailers (2016)
The Local Loyalty Project: Can Positioning a Regional Grocery Chain as a Purveyor of Local Foods Increase Customer Loyalty and Local Foods Sales? (2014)
What Do All These Label Claims Really Mean? (2017)
NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016)
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.
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs
How to Identify Your Ideal Customers
Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)
Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)
Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food Programs
Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)
Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
How it Works Handbook: A Guide to University Food Systems and Local Food Programs (2018)
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
Adding Value to Local Food (2016)
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
Creating Consumer-Friendly Bulk Meat
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)
Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Produce Distribution Center (2014)
eCommerce and Practices Presentation (2020)
How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)
Open Forum: Strategies to Help Ag Producers Plan During the COVID-19 Crisis (2021)
Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale Markets
Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC (2017)
Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017)
Growing Specialty Vegetables for Ethnic Markets in North Carolina (2020)
NC Catch Local Seafood Market Lists (2017)
NC Growing Together News
View our full newsfeed of NC Growing Together News.
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.
Whole Crop Harvest Partners with Ashley Christensen’s AC Restaurants to Research Economics of Preserving Seasonal Local Tomatoes for Year-Round Use
Waystone Design2018-09-14T21:37:38-04:00July 25th, 2018|
The team found that purchasing 100% North Carolina tomatoes in season reduces the restaurant group's cost by nearly half, accomplishes the goal of sourcing exclusively local tomatoes, and will likely reduce on-farm food loss.