Mcdowell Lfac

MCDOWELL LFAC IS A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO CONNECT, COORDINATE, AND STRENGTHEN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM IN MCDOWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. THE ORGANIZATION'S GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH, INCOME AND LIVELIHOODS OF ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH BUILDING A COMPLETE FOOD NETWORK OF PRODUCERS, BUSINESSES, AGENCIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. LFAC DOES THIS THROUGH DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS, SPECIAL PROJECTS AND SUPPORTIVE FOOD SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE IN MCDOWELL.

LFAC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: THE LFAC IS A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO STRENGTHEN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM IN MCDOWELL COUNTY. ITS GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND LIVELIHOODS OF ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH BUILDING A FOOD NETWORK OF PRODUCERS, BUSINESSES, AGENCIES, AND NOT-FOR -PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. LFAC FOCUSES ON DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND FOOD SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE IN MCDOWELL COUNTY. SEVERAL OF THESE PROJECTS IN 2022-2023 INCLUDED A "LEARNING GARDEN" TO SUPPORT A PRODUCE FOR PEDS INITIATIVE LEAD BY THE WEST MARION COMMUNITY FORUM, INC. LFAC STAFF PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT AND ITS MULTIPLE COMMUNITY FORUMS, AND ALSO PROVIDED PRODUCE TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL PANTRIES. LFAC STAFF ALSO SUPPORTED THE FOOTHILLS FOOD HUB STAFF IN RAISING FUNDS FOR PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, AND ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE, COORDINATING AND MANAGING FOOD HUB VOLUNTEERS, AND ENGAGING IN REGIONAL AND STATEWIDE RESOURCE SHARING AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.

NC FARMERS OF THE FOOTHILLS: FARMERS OF THE FOOTHILLS IS A COOPERATIVE GROUP OF FARMERS ORGANIZED BY MCDOWELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION. THIS WAS STARTED IN 2019 WITH FARMERS INTERESTED IN JOINING TOGETHER TO PURCHASE MATERIALS, MARKET THEIR PRODUCTS AND CREATE A CSA (COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE) PROGRAM FOR MCDOWELL COUNTY. FARMERS AGREE TO PAY DUES TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM AND SHARE THEIR PRODUCTS TO CREATE A LOCAL FOOD SHARE EACH YEAR. THIS GROUP ALSO HAS A WEBSITE THAT ALLOWS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PURCHASE LOCAL FOOD ITEMS DIRECTLY FROM FARMERS THAT ARE PART OF THE COOPERATIVE. THE MCDOWELL LFAC ACTS AS FISCAL AGENT AND SUPPORTS AND OFFERS SERVICES TO THESE MEMBERS.

FOOTHILLS FOOD HUB: THE FOOTHILLS FOOD HUB (FFH) IS THE LARGEST PROGRAM OF THE MCDOWELL LFAC. CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETE IN NOVEMBER OF 2022. THE FOOTHILLS FOOD HUB IS LOCATED AT 263 BARNES RD IN MARION AND CONSISTS OF THREE COMPONENTS: (1) A TEACHING KITCHEN THAT WILL EVENTUALLY HOST CULINARY CLASSES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, HEALTHY EATING CLASSES, AND FOOD PRESERVATION INSTRUCTION. (2) A PANTRY COMPONENT, COMPLETE WITH A LARGE FREEZER AND COOLER STORAGE, FOR BOTH SHELF STABLE AND PERISHABLE DONATED AND PURCHASED FOOD FOR ONGOING FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS. (3) AN INCREASED FOCUS ON FARMER SUPPORT AND FOOD INCLUDES STORAGE AND PROCESS SHIFTS TO ENSURE MORE LOCAL FOOD ENTERS THE PANTRY SUPPORT SYSTEM. THERE WILL ALSO BE A WASH LINE AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS' USE.

HEALTHY OPPORTUNITIES PILOT (HOP) PROGRAM: THE HOP PROGRAM IS A TRUE PILOT IN THAT ONLY 3 REGIONS IN NC PARTICIPATE AND THE 18 WESTERN NC COUNTIES AND QUALLA BOUNDARY ARE ONE OF THEM. THE MCDOWELL LFAC / FOOTHILLS FOOD HUB, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IMPACT HEALTH AND MEDICAID, PROVIDES FRESH AND SHELF STABLE FOOD TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR VARIOUS MEDICAID PROGRAMS. DURING 2022-2023 THE PROGRAM HAS GROWN, AND WILL LATER REQUIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF TO SUPPORT THE WORK. PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES WERE DEVELOPED, AS WELL AS FARMER RELATIONSHIPS, TO ENSURE THAT LOCAL FOOD IS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE HOP PROGRAM.