Collaborative Efforts to Transform Southeastern NC’s Food Landscape
Southeastern North Carolina is abuzz with efforts to improve food access and entrepreneurship in the region. With generous support from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, several organizations are working in the region on distinct, yet intersecting health-related issues, including food access, transportation, and substance use.
Two Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) initiatives – the “Visioning Our Food Future” project and Community Food Strategies – are currently involved in local food initiatives taking place in Southeastern NC.
Through the Visioning Our Food Future project, community members in Bladen, Columbus, and Robeson counties are collaborating with a research and facilitation team from CEFS, NC State University, and People-First Tourism Lab to develop a food system assessment and strategic plan for the region. Guided by a community-based advisory committee, the research and facilitation team has convened community members across these three counties to gather insights and goals for the local food system. The primary objective is to support farmers, food businesses, and community members in the region to develop a plan that will prioritize future work and funding needs for the community.
Guided by a community-based advisory committee, the research and facilitation team has convened community members across these three counties to gather insights and goals for the local food system.
In February 2024, four Food Forums were held in Pembroke, Dublin, Lumberton, and Whiteville, NC to showcase recommendations derived from months of community listening sessions and surveys. Read more about the purpose of the forums here. A variety of potential projects were identified across three different “development areas”: 1) youth and workforce development, 2) innovation, and 3) food assistance. Participants had the opportunity to vote on the top three projects that they would like to see implemented in their community.
“Many of the different pillars of health all come back to food when it comes to jobs and employment. Health outcomes all directly come back to food access. If you don’t have access to healthy food, you’re going to eventually have preventable diseases occur,” says Dr. Niesha Douglas, Coordinator and Community-Based Food System Research Scholar for Visioning Our Food Future.
The results of participant voting are currently being analyzed, but several overarching goals are already clear. Community members are interested in how residents can have a clear, equitable pathway to food access. This pathway could include food banks, viable farmers markets, and a better connection between regional and statewide resources.
Guided by the invaluable input collected through surveys, listening sessions, and the forums, the Visioning our Food Future team is currently writing a strategic plan that will be presented to Kate B. Reynolds, explaining the results of the research and the community suggestions. This will provide Kate B. Reynolds with a snapshot view of what programs could be supported financially during the next grant cycle.
This project builds upon years of community-driven advocacy and action in the region, led by individuals and organizations including but not limited to Randolph Keaton (Executive Director of Men and Women United for Youth and Families (MWUYF)), Ed Hunt (Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator for the Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub at UNC-Pembroke), Hetal Patel (Program Manager of MDC’s Rural Forward program), Millard Locklear (New Ground Farm Owner/Operator and Manager of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Dept. for The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina), Brielle Wright (Co-Owner of the Farmers B.A.G.), and the other members of the advisory committee. Each of these individuals and many others have been dedicated to bringing resources to the region and developing innovative partnerships for many years.
Several of these individuals and organizations have also been connected to Community Food Strategies, including through efforts to start a food policy council in Robeson County, and through the continued work of the youth food policy council in Bladen and Columbus counties. Community Food Strategies is excited to highlight the wonderful work taking place in Southeastern NC and is eager to continue to facilitate opportunities for networking and collaboration, provide tools, and support connections to regional and statewide resources.
Visit the Visioning Our Food Future website to learn more and get involved.