SENCFS Receives $400,000 in Funding for Processing and Distribution Center
The Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Program (SENCFS) is the recipient of two new grants to support a processing and distribution center for limited resource farmers in the region. SENCFS recently received $375,000 from The GoldenLEAF Foundation and $25,000 from The Tobacco Trust Foundation to create a Processing and Distribution Center based in Warsaw at WestPark, the home of the James Sprunt Community College Commercial Kitchens – Eastern Carolina Food Ventures. The Grand Opening will be held this autumn.
The Southeastern NC Food Systems (SENCFS) Program began in 2006 and as an economic development project in eight counties. It was grown into a partnership of institutions, agencies, farmers, and businesses in Southeastern North Carolina. UNCW is the lead agent of the partnership. The overall mission of SENCFS is to bring together institutions, agencies, farmers, and businesses to support, coordinate, expand, and sustain the production, distribution, and consumption of local foods and create an economically-viable, regional food system that benefits farmers, businesses, food services, and consumers in our region.
The SENCFS Processing and Distribution Center will provide small-scale, limited resource farmers increased access to profitable institutional, commercial and retail markets. Institutional buyers (such as schools, restaurants, military bases, hospitals, universities and colleges) and consumers will have access to local foods that are both safer and more nutritious. The Center will serve as a hub for farmers to bring their local produce for distribution; and a central location for institutions to purchase local produce for their consumers. A flash-freezer will be purchased to extend berry season for public schools that are not in session during blueberry season. SENCFS focus is on getting more local foods into our public schools. Jane Steigerwald, SENCFS Program Director, has worked extensively with Child Nutrition Directors in the region to make the Farm to School, through SENCFS Processing and Distribution Center, a reality.
Leslie Hossfeld, Co-founder and Executive Director of SENCFS is excited about the possibilities, “the ripple effect of the project could be significant: the region will experience an increase in job and business creation, along with the sustainability of small, family farms, and a boost in sales taxes. The end result? More local dollars stay in the region. And, our kids eat food grown in their own communities! It’s a win-win for everyone.”
SENCFS has eight priority programs and initiatives: 1) Farm to School and Institutional Buying Program; 2) Farmer Support/GAP Training to strengthen and support limited resource farmers’ capacity; 3) BUY LOCAL Marketing and Branding Program; 4) Farm to Chef Program linking local farmers and local chefs; 5) SENCFS Processing and Distribution Center; 6) Statewide Local Food Movement; and 7) Supporting Local Farmers’ Markets. With a strong cadre of volunteers, SENCFS is leading the state in the local food movement with a fully integrated regional food system. The next quarterly SENCFS meeting is on September 7, 2010 at the New Hanover County Government Offices. Visit their website to find out how you can be part of SENCFS and the local food movement! www.feastsoutheastnc.org. Tidal Creek Food Cooperative is a founding member of SENCFS.
