North Carolina Profile

Farm to School in North Carolina originated through a partnership between the Department of Defense and the Markets and Food Distribution Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 1997. The program began by testing the market for Red and Golden Delicious apples grown in Western North Carolina. After the success in Western North Carolina, the North Carolina Farm to School Program was expanded throughout the State. All school districts in North Carolina have the ability to be part of the North Carolina Department of Defense Program and in 2004, about sixty school districts took advantage of this opportunity.

Local purchasing programs with the additional focus on educational aspects of farm to school - school gardens, nutrition education and farm tours are also operational in specific school districts. See Existing Programs for more information.