North Carolina Involved Groups and Organizations

The following organizations have resources and information to help with your local Farm to School program.
Food Distribution Division of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
The Food Distribution Division contributes to the nutritional well being of the citizens of North Carolina by distributing USDA commodities to eligible Recipient Agencies. Food Distribution administers nine food programs for USDA.

Marketing Division of the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

North Carolina Farm to School Program
This program is now run through Gary Gay from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services & the National Career Development Association (NCDA).

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
An organization of more than 750 farmers, processors, gardeners, businesses and individuals in North and South Carolina who are committed to sustainable agriculture and the development of locally-based, organic food systems. They provide support of local and organic food systems through promotion and marketing assistance; education and advocacy efforts; and information sharing/networking.

Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
A non-profit organization that supports farmers and rural communities in the mountains of western North Carolina and the southern Appalachians by providing education, mentoring, promotion, web resources, and community and policy development.

Growing Minds: A Project of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Program
An educational program of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), links gardening and agriculture with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

North Carolina Farm to School Program
The North Carolina Farm to School Program is run through a collaborative effort between the Markets and Food Distribution Divisions of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs and the Department of Defense. Food Distribution surveys North Carolina schools to determine the quantity of produce that the school can use and then turns the total quantities over to the Department of Defense who works with the Markets Division to locate the farmers to procure the product. Food Distributions picks up the product from the farmers and delivers it to the schools. The Department of Defense then bills the schools for payment. Approximately thirty farmers participate in the North Carolina Farm to School Program. These farmers are located in Franklin, Johnston, Rowan, Columbus, Onlsow, New Hanover, Lenoir, Granville, Duplin and Harnett counties.  For more information,
Contact the Marketing Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, or the Food Distribution Division

Family Farmers and CSA
There are approximately 57 family farmers and 13 CSA's (community supported agriculture) in the mountains of the Southern Appalachians and Western North Carolina alone. For more information, look at ASAP's local food guide and farm to business directory.

Farmers' Markets
There are 84 farmers' markets in North Carolina. In addition to the link above, the WNC farmers markets can be found here.