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.
- Seal the Seasons: The Business Case for Expansion into Food Service Markets (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:06:12-05:00
Seal the Seasons: The Business Case for Expansion into Food Service Markets (2016)
- Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T17:03:11-05:00
Process Walkthrough: Direct-Store Delivery (DSD) to Retail Grocery Destinations for Niche Meat Producers (2014)
- Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:35:13-05:00
Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)
- Keynote Presentation to SBC-SBTDC Annual ConferenceLaura Lauffer2016-12-05T11:24:20-05:00
Keynote Presentation to SBC-SBTDC Annual Conference
- Supply Chain Analysis for Grower-Based Distributors: Feasibility of Bagged Frozen Produce for Sale in Grocery Chain Retailers (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:02:44-05:00
Supply Chain Analysis for Grower-Based Distributors: Feasibility of Bagged Frozen Produce for Sale in Grocery Chain Retailers (2014)
- Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:16:52-05:00
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
- Establishing Partnerships with Food Retailers to Conduct Local and Healthy Food Choice Research (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:09:19-05:00
Establishing Partnerships with Food Retailers to Conduct Local and Healthy Food Choice Research (2016)
- Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:24:58-05:00
Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)
- Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T10:31:43-05:00
Distributors of NC Wild-Caught Seafood (2016)
- Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:26:22-05:00
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:55:55-05:00
Hubs & Kitchens: Food Hubs, Commercial Community Kitchens, and Copackers in NC (2017)
- Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:52:19-05:00
Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)
- Scaling up at a Local Grain Mill (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:58:49-05:00
Scaling up at a Local Grain Mill (2017)
- Presentation to the Triangle J Council of Government Board of Delegates MeetingLaura Lauffer2016-12-05T11:30:28-05:00
Presentation to the Triangle J Council of Government Board of Delegates Meeting
- Market Channel Evaluation: Produce (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:07:08-05:00
Market Channel Evaluation: Produce (2014)
- An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: Market Readiness Assessment (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:10:44-05:00
An Analysis of North Carolina’s Seafood Industry: Market Readiness Assessment (2014)
- For Artisan Cheesemakers: What to Ask and What to Expect When Working with Distributors and Retailers (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:17:44-05:00
For Artisan Cheesemakers: What to Ask and What to Expect When Working with Distributors and Retailers (2016)
- Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food ProgramsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:29:58-05:00
Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food Programs
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:36:18-05:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Chicken (2016)
- North Carolina Farmstead Creamery Survey Report (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T20:53:19-05:00
North Carolina Farmstead Creamery Survey Report (2015)
- North Carolina Niche Meat Producers Survey (2013)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T21:15:37-05:00
North Carolina Niche Meat Producers Survey (2013)
- Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food HubsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:56:26-05:00
Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs
- ELGL (Emerging Local Government Leaders) Food Economies WebinarLaura Lauffer2016-11-26T09:34:07-05:00
ELGL (Emerging Local Government Leaders) Food Economies Webinar
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business WebsitesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:43:30-05:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:53:15-05:00
Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Guide to Social & Online Media for Producers in Wholesale MarketsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:45:06-05:00
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 Design2018-09-25T22:35:07-05:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2017 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018)Marcello Cappellazzi2019-02-21T13:01:59-05:00
NC Growing Together Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship (2018)
- Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop ManualWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:41:29-05:00
Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop Manual
- A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Sourcing Local Foods (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:04:00-05:00
A Crossdock Consolidation Center for Sourcing Local Foods (2014)
- Scaling a “Local to Local” Solution: Supply Chain Analysis for Delivering Local Fresh Produce to Local Grocery Stores (2014)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:03:08-05:00
Scaling a “Local to Local” Solution: Supply Chain Analysis for Delivering Local Fresh Produce to Local Grocery Stores (2014)
- Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:29:19-05:00
Farm and Food Business Resource Guide (2017)
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.
- Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:26:22-05:00
Introduction to Food Safety Curriculum Unit (2017)
- Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T13:10:19-05:00
Cheese Business Resource Guide (2016)
- Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale MarketsShane McCoy2018-09-24T23:54:48-05:00
Understanding Packaging and Specifications for Wholesale Markets
- Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:35:13-05:00
Best Practices for Temperature and Humidity Management for Fresh Produce (2015)
- How it Works Handbook: A Guide to University Food Systems and Local Food Programs (2018)Marcello Cappellazzi2019-02-27T10:57:57-05:00
How it Works Handbook: A Guide to University Food Systems and Local Food Programs (2018)
- Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:35:04-05:00
Best Practices for Grading and Packing of Fresh Produce (2015)
- Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select CropsWaystone Design2018-09-24T10:33:29-05:00
Estimated Rows and Acres of Production Per Case and Pallet at Wholesale, Select Crops
- Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food ProgramsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:29:58-05:00
Agent Opportunities to Build Partnerships with Local Supermarkets through Local Food Programs
- Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)Marcello Cappellazzi2018-09-27T11:55:09-05:00
Strategies to Increase Sales of Local Meat at Farmstands and Small Retailers (2018)
- On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:21:46-05:00
On-Farm Infrastructure Toolkit (2017)
- Basic Legal Structures for Local Foods Value Chain BusinessesWaystone Design2018-09-23T15:09:11-05:00
Basic Legal Structures for Local Foods Value Chain Businesses
- Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)Waystone Design2018-09-27T11:56:48-05:00
Local Food Supply Chain Apprenticeship: A Program Guide (2018)
- How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)Waystone Design2019-03-28T12:07:40-05:00
How to Sell Produce to Distributors (2018)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:27:58-05:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2015 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Bringing on New Fruit and Vegetable Farmers: A Visual Guide and Checklist for Direct-Store-DeliveryWaystone Design2018-09-24T10:03:49-05:00
Bringing on New Fruit and Vegetable Farmers: A Visual Guide and Checklist for Direct-Store-Delivery
- SBC-SBTDC REAL Agriculture & Cooperative Extension Curriculum Guide (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:21:19-05:00
SBC-SBTDC REAL Agriculture & Cooperative Extension Curriculum Guide (2017)
- Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-24T14:56:56-05:00
Postharvest Handling PowerPoint Presentation (2016)
- Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and RecommendationsWaystone Design2018-09-24T20:03:36-05:00
Authenticity and Success in Marketing “Local” — Review and Recommendations
- How to Sell Shell Eggs into Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2015)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:46:55-05:00
How to Sell Shell Eggs into Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2015)
- Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer InternshipWaystone Design2018-09-25T22:47:18-05:00
Students in the Local Food Value Chain: Experiences from the 2018 NC Growing Together Summer Internship
- Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:16:52-05:00
Financial and Business Resources for Food Entrepreneurs and Farms in North Carolina (2016)
- Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop ManualWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:41:29-05:00
Fresh Produce Good Agricultural Practices Workshop Manual
- Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:24:58-05:00
Hosting Food & Farm Business Training Programs at Community Colleges (2017)
- Webinar: Local Food & Strategies for Councils of GovernmentWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:55:23-05:00
Webinar: Local Food & Strategies for Councils of Government
- Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:36:32-05:00
Breaking Down the Cost of Pastured Pork (2016)
- Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:53:15-05:00
Selling Fluid Milk to Grocery Stores through Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food HubsWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:56:26-05:00
Wholesale and Retail Product Specifications: Guidance and Best Practices for Fresh Produce for Small Farms and Food Hubs
- Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:52:19-05:00
Retailer Talking Points: How to Answer Consumer Questions on Local Meats (2014)
- Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)Waystone Design2018-09-27T12:27:19-05:00
Direct Marketing for Small Farms Curriculum Unit (2017)
- How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)JJ Richardson2018-09-24T23:46:39-05:00
How to Sell Pastured Meat Products to Grocery Stores via Direct Store Delivery (2016)
- Guide to Building Farm & Food Business WebsitesWaystone Design2018-09-24T23:43:30-05:00
Guide to Building Farm & Food Business Websites
- Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)Shane McCoy2018-09-24T23:54:30-05:00
Tips for Produce Growers Marketing Fresh Produce to Retail Grocers: Understanding PLU and UPC Codes (2014)
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.
