Connecting growers to new customers

Two of North Carolina’s leading local food and farmer advocacy organizations—ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) and RAFI-USA (Rural Advancement Foundation International)—have partnered for Connect2Direct, a major new initiative to increase farmer direct sales and expand local food access. 

The goal for the collaboration is to support and build equitable community-based local food economies. ASAP has nearly two decades of local food systems development experience and RAFI is a national leader in farmer-led policy and market reforms.

Demand for locally grown food continues to grow and direct farm sales are an important connector between farmers and the community. North Carolina is home to a variety of direct markets including on-farm stores, roadside stands, community supported agriculture programs (CSAs), and according to the USDA’s Farmers Market Directory, nearly 250 farmers markets. “There are tremendous opportunities for farmers to increase direct sales” said ASAP Executive Director Charlie Jackson. “We’ve just scratched the surface of potential for North Carolina farms and communities and efforts to expand access through outreach and food assistance programs are good for our farms, our health, and our local economies,” notes Jackson.

Connect2Direct aims to dramatically increase farm to consumer direct sales and the usage of EBT/SNAP at farmers markets in North Carolina—by more than 100 percent within two years—by providing training and technical assistance to markets and market vendors, creating effective marketing and outreach campaigns, facilitating the transactional process for EBT/SNAP, and building statewide capacity and efficiency to sustainably ensure that all North Carolinians have access to fresh foods grown by local farmers. 

For information about upcoming workshops and announcements, visit connect2direct.org.