Overview: NC Farm to ECE Local Food Buying Guides (for TA Providers)

Download the Overview: NC Farm to ECE Local Food Buying Guides (for TA Providers), created to support childcare directors, cooks, and staff in incorporating fresh, local ingredients into meals and snacks. This simple, practical guide makes it easier to plan, purchase, and serve local food in early care settings.

NC Guide to Local Food Buying Models for Farm to ECE (for Child Care Providers)

Download our NC Guide to Local Food Buying Models for Farm to ECE (for Child Care Providers), which highlights a variety of practical ways early care programs can source fresh, local food—from partnering with food hubs to using caterers who prioritize local ingredients. This guide offers flexible options to fit different needs and encourages collaboration with families, staff, and community partners.

Local Food Buying Models: For Technical Assistance Providers

Download our NC Guide to Local Food Buying Models for Farm to ECE (for TA Providers), which highlights a variety of practical ways early care programs can source fresh, local food—from partnering with food hubs to using caterers who prioritize local ingredients. This guide offers flexible options to fit different needs and encourages collaboration with families, staff, and community partners.

NC Guide to Buying Local Food for Child Care Programs

Check out our Five-Step NC Guide to Buying Local Food for Child Care Programs, created to support childcare directors, cooks, and staff in incorporating fresh, local ingredients into meals and snacks. This simple, practical guide makes it easier to plan, purchase, and serve local food in early care settings.

NC Guide to Selling Local Food to Child Care Programs (for Farmers and Food Hubs)

We’re excited to share the NC Guide to Selling Local Food to Child Care Programs (for Farmers and Food Hubs), created to help producers and food hubs connect with child care programs across North Carolina. This guide outlines how to engage with early care settings, identify new market opportunities, and build strong relationships with families, staff, and young eaters.

Fruit and Vegetable Storage Guide

This guide provides advice about how to store individual types of produce, as well as general information to reduce food waste.

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Food Safety for School and Community Gardens

This guide, produced by NC State University and NC Cooperative Extension, is a handbook for beginning and experienced garden organizers alike on how to reduce food safety risks.

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Best Management Practices for Ensuring Food Safety for On-Farm Poultry Processing

Due to the popularity of farmers markets and the trend toward local niche meat production, more producers are processing poultry than ever before. It is especially critical that producers employ best management practices to reduce the likelihood of passing dangerous pathogens and food borne illnesses from poultry to consumer.

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