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.
- Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:54:30+00:00
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)
- Transportation Cost Transparency for TRACTOR Food Hub (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T11:59:06+00:00
Transportation Cost Transparency for TRACTOR Food Hub (2017)
- Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T13:10:19+00:00
Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016)
- ELGL (Emerging Local Government Leaders) Food Economies Webinar Laura Lauffer 2016-11-26T09:34:07+00:00
ELGL (Emerging Local Government Leaders) Food Economies Webinar
- Scaling a “Local to Local” Solution: Supply Chain Analysis for Delivering Local Fresh Produce to Local Grocery Stores (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:03:08+00:00
Scaling a “Local to Local” Solution: Supply Chain Analysis for Delivering Local Fresh Produce to Local Grocery Stores (2014)
- North Carolina Farmstead Creamery Survey Report (2015) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T20:53:19+00:00
North Carolina Farmstead Creamery Survey Report (2015)
- Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:44:04+00:00
Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses
- Maturity Models as a Diagnostic and Resource Mapping Tool for Food Hubs (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:04:49+00:00
Maturity Models as a Diagnostic and Resource Mapping Tool for Food Hubs (2014)
- Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:53:15+00:00
Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale Markets Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:45:06+00:00
Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale Markets
- Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:27:19+00:00
Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Presentation: Visioning for Healthy Eating (Dan River Health Summit) Laura Lauffer 2016-11-26T09:34:07+00:00
Presentation: Visioning for Healthy Eating (Dan River Health Summit)
- Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:26:22+00:00
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:54:48+00:00
Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets
- NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018) Marcello Cappellazzi 2019-02-21T13:01:59+00:00
NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018)
- The Local Loyalty Project: Can Positioning a Regional Grocery Chain as a Purveyor of Local Foods Increase Customer Loyalty and Local Foods Sales? (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:08:52+00:00
The Local Loyalty Project: Can Positioning a Regional Grocery Chain as a Purveyor of Local Foods Increase Customer Loyalty and Local Foods Sales? (2014)
- Feasibility and Design of a Direct-to-Consumer Produce Box Program (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:06:46+00:00
Feasibility and Design of a Direct-to-Consumer Produce Box Program (2016)
- Comparing Entrepreneurial Solutions to Local Food Distribution (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:00:24+00:00
Comparing Entrepreneurial Solutions to Local Food Distribution (2016)
- Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:52:19+00:00
Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)
- A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Sourcing Local Foods (2014) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:04:00+00:00
A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Sourcing Local Foods (2014)
- Presentation to N.C. Association of Regional Councils of Government Laura Lauffer 2016-12-05T11:19:17+00:00
Presentation to N.C. Association of Regional Councils of Government
- Seal the Seasons: The Business Case for Expansion into Food Service Markets (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:06:12+00:00
Seal the Seasons: The Business Case for Expansion into Food Service Markets (2016)
- Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:59:51+00:00
Guide to Hosting Mini Food Shows (2017)
- High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017 Waystone Design 2018-09-24T11:07:44+00:00
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
- Sourcing Local Tomatoes to Minimize Food Loss (2018) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T11:58:38+00:00
Sourcing Local Tomatoes to Minimize Food Loss (2018)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer Internship Waystone Design 2018-09-25T22:35:49+00:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: National and State Perspectives (2013) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:11:16+00:00
An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: National and State Perspectives (2013)
- Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and Recommendations Waystone Design 2018-09-24T20:03:36+00:00
Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and Recommendations
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:43:30+00:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-10-15T16:57:40+00:00
NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016)
- Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:33:29+00:00
Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops
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.
- Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:56:26+00:00
Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs
- Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and Recommendations Waystone Design 2018-09-24T20:03:36+00:00
Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and Recommendations
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide Waystone Design 2018-09-24T15:04:27+00:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
- Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T13:10:19+00:00
Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016)
- Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:24:15+00:00
Introduction to Wholesale Marketing Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T11:55:55+00:00
Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC (2017)
- Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T11:56:48+00:00
Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)
- Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T10:31:43+00:00
Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)
- Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018) Marcello Cappellazzi 2018-09-27T11:55:09+00:00
Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)
- Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:44:41+00:00
Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses
- High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017 Waystone Design 2018-09-24T11:07:44+00:00
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
- Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:54:48+00:00
Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets
- Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T11:09:47+00:00
Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017)
- Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:29:19+00:00
Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)
- NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-10-15T16:57:40+00:00
NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016)
- On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:22:52+00:00
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
- Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T17:03:11+00:00
Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)
- SBC-SBTDC REAL Agriculture & Cooperative Extension Curriculum Guide (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:21:19+00:00
SBC-SBTDC REAL Agriculture & Cooperative Extension Curriculum Guide (2017)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship Waystone Design 2018-09-25T22:35:07+00:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- For Artisan Cheesemakers: What to Ask and What to Expect When Working with Distributors and Retailers (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:17:44+00:00
For Artisan Cheesemakers: What to Ask and What to Expect When Working with Distributors and Retailers (2016)
- How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-09-24T23:46:39+00:00
How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Basic Legal Structures for Local Foods Value Chain Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-23T15:09:11+00:00
Basic Legal Structures for Local Foods Value Chain Businesses
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer Internship Waystone Design 2018-09-25T22:47:18+00:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:54:30+00:00
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)
- Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses Waystone Design 2018-09-24T23:44:04+00:00
Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship Waystone Design 2018-09-25T22:27:58+00:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Collaborative Farming in NC (2017) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:20:50+00:00
Collaborative Farming in NC (2017)
- Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-27T12:16:52+00:00
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
- Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015) Shane McCoy 2018-09-24T23:35:04+00:00
Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016) Waystone Design 2018-09-24T14:56:56+00:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016) JJ Richardson 2018-09-24T23:36:32+00:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)
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
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
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
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
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.
This project is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative competitive grant no. 2013-68004-20363 of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
