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.
- Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:24:58-04:00
Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)
- Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:54:30-04:00
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)
- Sourcing Local Tomatoes to Minimize Food Loss (2018)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:58:38-04:00
Sourcing Local Tomatoes to Minimize Food Loss (2018)
- Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale MarketsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:45:06-04:00
Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale Markets
- Establishing Partnerships with Food Retailers to Conduct Local and Healthy Food Choice Research (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:09:19-04:00
Establishing Partnerships with Food Retailers to Conduct Local and Healthy Food Choice Research (2016)
- NCGT Pastured Poultry Feasibility Study (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:03:32-04:00
NCGT Pastured Poultry Feasibility Study (2016)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:35:49-04:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:36:32-04:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)
- A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Local Produce (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:08:25-04:00
A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Local Produce (2016)
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T14:56:56-04:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: Market Readiness Assessment (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:10:44-04:00
An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: Market Readiness Assessment (2014)
- Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:56:48-04:00
Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)
- Market Channel Evaluation: Produce (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:07:08-04:00
Market Channel Evaluation: Produce (2014)
- High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017Waystone Design2019-03-05T13:05:04-04:00
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
- NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016)JJ Richardson2018-10-15T16:57:40-04:00
NC Processors That Slaughter, Process, & Vacuum Package For Farmers (2016)
- Pack ‘N Cool Construction Manual and BudgetShane McCoy2016-11-26T09:34:27-04:00
Pack ‘N Cool Construction Manual and Budget
- Maturity Models as a Diagnostic and Resource Mapping Tool for Food Hubs (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:04:49-04:00
Maturity Models as a Diagnostic and Resource Mapping Tool for Food Hubs (2014)
- On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:22:52-04:00
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
- NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018)Marcello Cappellazzi2019-02-21T13:01:59-04:00
NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018)
- Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food HubsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:56:26-04:00
Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs
- Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf LifeShane McCoy2017-03-23T08:07:28-04:00
Postharvest Handling for Enhanced Shelf Life
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning GuideWaystone Design2018-09-24T15:04:27-04:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
- Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)Marcello Cappellazzi2018-09-27T11:55:09-04:00
Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)Waystone Design2019-03-28T12:07:40-04:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:46:39-04:00
How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T10:31:43-04:00
Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)
- Presentation to N.C. Association of Regional Councils of GovernmentLaura Lauffer2016-12-05T11:19:17-04:00
Presentation to N.C. Association of Regional Councils of Government
- North Carolina Farmstead Creamery Survey Report (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T20:53:19-04:00
North Carolina Farmstead Creamery Survey Report (2015)
- Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:16:52-04:00
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
- Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select CropsWaystone Design2018-09-24T10:33:29-04:00
Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops
- Process Walkthrough at a Regional Meat Distribution Center (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T17:03:32-04:00
Process Walkthrough at a Regional Meat Distribution Center (2014)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:27:58-04:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
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 HubsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:56:26-04:00
Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs
- Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:35:04-04:00
Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)
- Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:29:19-04:00
Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)
- Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food ProgramsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:29:58-04:00
Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food Programs
- How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:46:39-04:00
How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning GuideWaystone Design2018-09-24T15:04:27-04:00
Successful Postharvest Handling: A Workshop Planning Guide
- Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:24:58-04:00
Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)
- How it Works Handbook: A Guide to University Food Systems and Local Food Programs (2018)Marcello Cappellazzi2019-02-27T10:57:57-04:00
How it Works Handbook: A Guide to University Food Systems and Local Food Programs (2018)
- High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017Waystone Design2019-03-05T13:05:04-04:00
High Tunnel Management: Workshop Materials Feb. 2017
- On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:22:52-04:00
On-Farm Cold Storage Virtual Training (2017)
- Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:16:52-04:00
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
- Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T17:03:11-04:00
Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:36:32-04:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)
- Special Claims and the Approval Process for Niche Meat Production (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:53:52-04:00
Special Claims and the Approval Process for Niche Meat Production (2014)
- Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-24T11:09:47-04:00
Hosting Local Food Events with Grocery Stores & Retailers (2017)
- Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:56:48-04:00
Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)
- On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:21:46-04:00
On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)Waystone Design2019-03-28T12:07:40-04:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:52:19-04:00
Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T14:56:56-04:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- Food & Farm Financing Summit: SBC Annual Conference, March 2017Waystone Design2018-09-24T10:43:10-04:00
Food & Farm Financing Summit: SBC Annual Conference, March 2017
- Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:35:13-04:00
Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)
- Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food BusinessesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:44:04-04:00
Guide to Facebook for Farm & Food Businesses
- Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:27:19-04:00
Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business WebsitesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:43:30-04:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:35:49-04:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2016 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale MarketsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:45:06-04:00
Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale Markets
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:35:07-04:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- How to Sell Shell Eggs into Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:46:55-04:00
How to Sell Shell Eggs into Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2015)
- Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food BusinessesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:44:41-04:00
Guide to Pinterest for Farm & Food Businesses
- Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:53:15-04:00
Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:55:55-04:00
Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC (2017)
NC Growing Together News
View our full newsfeed of NC Growing Together News.
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.
Whole Crop Harvest Partners with Ashley Christensen’s AC Restaurants to Research Economics of Preserving Seasonal Local Tomatoes for Year-Round Use
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.
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.
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.
