The current state of our agriculture and farming industries confirms that there is a serious, ongoing problem within our food system. The heart of this issue–that power is concentrated in the hands of a few–keeps many people, especially vulnerable and marginalized people, from gaining fair access to food. 

We wanted to know what could be learned from people across communities in North Carolina with various lived experiences of the food system. We invited over 300 people from our networks to participate in focus groups and respond from their various identities, and 65 people participated. From August 2020 to February 2021, members of the Food Action Plan project  team interviewed stakeholders from different identity groups to learn from their reflections on the food system, their communities, and society as a whole.

Almost a decade ago, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) presented From Farm to Fork: A Guide to Building North Carolina’s Sustainable Local Food Economy. The 2009 Farm to Fork process, led by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), taught us to trust the expertise of community members’ lived experiences. Stories are data. They are the basics of how we communicate. These human truths help us understand how pieces fit together and clarify what’s at stake. 

Our twelve leading insights were developed using the information we gathered during each of our identity conversations. Conversation notes and transcripts were analyzed using a blend of qualitative research, human-centered design, and community-based participatory research methods. 

The lessons we took away from this work emphasized the desire for a food system that nourishes all people. One that is not driven by profit but by the needs of the community. Change can start with a single conversation and turn into a movement. Now is the time to start finding ways to “do food differently” in North Carolina. We hope this report is a springboard for further conversations and action.