Food Fight

FarmsSHARE: North Carolina’s Food Systems Promote Security and Justice

FarmsSHARE, an initiative led by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA), is working to reshape food systems across North Carolina by addressing food security and advancing food justice. Through this program, CFSA is building stronger connections between local farmers and communities in need, with the goal of not only feeding the hungry but fostering a system that treats food as medicine.

The program works by securing funds that are then distributed to local food hubs. These hubs, in turn, purchase food from area farmers and package it into boxes for distribution to nearby households. By doing so, FarmsSHARE supports local farmers while providing much needed food to under resourced communities.

“What we’re trying to demonstrate is how local food systems across the country, with the right support and investment, can enhance the health of under-resourced communities and can advance food justice and food sovereignty in our nation,” said Roland McReynolds, Executive Director of CFSA.

FarmsSHARE was born out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the sudden shutdown of restaurants and farmers’ markets put small farmers and food service workers at risk. As the crisis unfolded, McReynolds and the CFSA staff sought a solution that would support both farmers and the newly unemployed restaurant workers who suddenly found themselves without income. “There was this real panic… folks were going to be out of work and, potentially, out of any opportunity for income,” McReynolds explained.

In response, CFSA contacted the BlueCross BlueShield Foundation of North Carolina and secured funding, which allowed food hubs across the state to purchase food from local farmers. Initially, this food was distributed to restaurant workers. But as the program evolved, it expanded its focus to serve all households in need. By 2023, the program had grown significantly, with the support of the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program.

Since its inception, FarmsSHARE has made a substantial impact. The program has paid out $6.25 million to 18 food hubs and over 300 farmers, helping to deliver more than 156,000 boxes of food. These boxes have contained 1.4 million pounds of produce and 37 tons of protein. “1,400 families a week are getting this box of fresh, local produce and proteins. They’re getting the highest-quality food,” McReynolds noted.

A unique aspect of FarmsSHARE is the autonomy it offers to food hubs, allowing them to build strong relationships with local farmers and purchase seasonal, high-quality, and culturally appropriate food. This approach helps ensure that the food not only meets nutritional needs but also preserves the dignity and self-determination of the recipients. “We want the people who receive boxes to feel a sense of dignity from getting access to this high-quality food. It’s about self-determination, really, at every step of the process,” McReynolds said.

The positive effects of the program extend beyond simply feeding the hungry. McReynolds pointed out that improving access to healthy food could reduce long-term healthcare costs, as poor nutrition is a significant driver of chronic disease. “We spend a lot of money on healthcare in this country,” he explained. “If we shifted that money to paying for the highest-quality food and paying what it’s really worth, in the long run, we’ll reduce our healthcare costs.”

Looking ahead, McReynolds envisions FarmsSHARE as a model for transforming food systems nationwide. By connecting people with healthy, locally sourced food, the program aims to promote food security while operating under the understanding that food is medicine. “Addressing food insecurity is important,” McReynolds said. “And promoting health with quality food sourced from local farms is the big picture goal.”

With its roots in community collaboration, FarmsSHARE is creating a system that supports local agriculture while addressing the urgent need for nutritious, accessible food in North Carolina.

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