Working Landscapes

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.