Working Landscapes

EXPANDS CLIMATE-SMART FRUITS, VEGETABLES, CORN, SOYBEANS, BEEF, CHICKEN, AND PORK MARKETS IN NORTH CAROLINA AND SUPPORTS FARMERS TO IMPLEMENT AND MONITOR CLIMATE-SMART PRACTICES.

THIS PROJECT REPRESENTS AN UNPRECEDENTED COLLABORATION AMONG FIVE MISSION DRIVEN FOOD PROCESSORS, SEVEN FOOD HUBS, AND 75 FARMERS AND FISHERMEN TOGETHER, WE WILL SUPPLY 41 NORTH CAROLINA INSTITUTIONS WITH A WIDER ARRAY OF VALUE ADDED, LOCALLY SOURCED FOODS THAN THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN ABLE TO PURCHASE. EACH OF THE 24 PRODUCTS WE WILL DEVELOP AND MARKET INCLUDING FRESH CUT PRODUCE PASTURE RAISED CHICKEN, PORK, AND BEEF SEAFOOD AND HEAT AND SERVE MEALS WILL BE DESIGNED FOR EASE OF USE IN INSTITUTIONAL KITCHENS. A SUBAWARD WILL SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF SHELF STABLE FRUIT JERKY A WHOLESOME, LOCALLY SOURCED ALTERNATIVE TO THE UNHEALTHY SNACKS OFFERED THROUGH AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER MEALS, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS. THE END RESULT WILL BE THE INCREASED INCORPORATION OF HEALTHY, LOCAL FOODS INTO THE MENUS OF THE INSTITUTIONS THAT SERVE 200,000 PEOPLE ACROSS OUR REGION CHILDCARE CENTERS, SCHOOLS, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, NURSING HOMES, SENIOR SERVICES AGENCIES, AND UNIVERSITIES. EACH PRODUCT WILL DESIGNED USING A WHOLE VALUE CHAIN APPROACH, CONSIDERING HOW PRODUCERS, HUBS, PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, INSTITUTIONS, AND END CONSUMERS CAN BENEFIT. AS A WOMAN OF COLOR LED HUB PROCESSOR LOCATED IN AN ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED, MAJORITY MINORITY RURAL AREA, WE WILL PRIORITIZE CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL MINORITY PRODUCERS FROM MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES TO SUPPLY OUR REGION S INSTITUTIONS. WE WILL SUPPORT FARMERS DEVELOPING BUSINESS PLANS, FOOD SAFETY PROGRAMS, AND CLIMATE FRIENDLY PRODUCTION STRATEGIES THAT WILL INCREASE THEIR SUCCESS AS INSTITUTIONAL SUPPLIERS.

CULTIVATING RESILIENCE DEVELOPING FARM

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS OF HEALTHY FOOD IN NORTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA DO NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ACCESS TO EACH OTHER. TO ADDRESS THIS PRESSING PROBLEM, WORKING LANDSCAPES AND ITS SIXTEEN PARTNERS (WHO SPAN THE FOOD SYSTEM FROM FARM TO FORK) PROPOSE TO PURSUE THE FOLLOWING GOALS:GOAL 1: INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY, LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTS AMONG THE PREDOMINANTLY RURAL AND LOW-INCOME POPULATION OF OUR 21-COUNTY REGION BY EXPANDING THE PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND REACH OF WORKING LANDSCAPES' FOOD HUB, BYWAY FOODS. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A) SUPPLYING AN EXPANDED ARRAY FRESH-CUT/WASHED PRODUCE TO 20 INSTITUTIONS THAT SERVE 60,000 LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS; B) COLLABORATING WITH MINORITY-OWNED FARM/FOOD ENTERPRISES TO PREPARE MEALS FOR OUR REGION'S LOW-INCOME SENIORS; AND C) EXPANDING COLD STORAGE ACCESS FOR A FOOD PANTRY AND SMALL FARMERS.GOAL 2: HELP LEAD THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RESILIENT REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM CONNECTING OUR REGION'S ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED, RURAL COUNTIES TO EACH OTHER AND THE REST OF THE STATE. TO DO THIS, WE WILL A) FACILITATE PARTICIPATORY FOOD SYSTEM ASSESSMENTS ACROSS 10 COUNTIES; B) ESTABLISH NEW VALUE CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE AND 100 NEW VALUE CHAIN LINKAGES; C) BUILD THE COLLECTIVE CAPACITY OF THE REGION'S SMALL FOOD ORGANIZATIONS; D) HELP TWENTY SMALL FARMERS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO WHOLESALE MARKET ENTRY; AND E) ESTABLISH A NETWORK OF EIGHT FOOD HUBS.

CONNECTING OUR REGION`S FARMERS TO LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS THROUGH A RURAL FOOD HUB

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

RBDG RURAL BUSINESS COOP RURAL ENTERPRISE GRANT

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

CONNECTING OUR REGION'S FARMERS TO LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS THROUGH A RURAL FOOD HUB