Food Council Tools
The NCLFC is one of more than 35 food councils across the state and nearly 300 local food councils nationwide.
The North Carolina Local Food Council (NCLFC) is proud to be a part of a growing network of food councils across North Carolina. As a state-level food council consisting of many key actors in the local food movement, we want to share resources, tools, and potential partners to support the work of local food councils.
Find a Food Council
Get a map of food councils in North Carolina with their contact information.
Partners and Funding for Local Food
A list of potential partners with associated resources, programs, and funding opportunities for food councils.
Local Foods Portal
An online hub for information, events, and resources from Cooperative Extension, other NC organizations, and partners working on local food programming.
Community Food Strategies
A multi-organizational project team that provides coaching, consultation, resources, and networking opportunities for local food councils.
Resource List
Information about statewide agencies and organizations, businesses, funders, and other entities that have either informational resources or relevant programs, or financial resources available to help local councils in their work.
Connect with Other Food Councils
Several peer-to-peer options for connecting with individual councils and/or the broader network.
Partners and Funding for Local Foods
Local food systems can help build and sustain a community, spur economic development, improve community health, and support the environment. These partners make a difference by giving to the farmers, fishermen, and local food sources that drive North Carolina.
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a partnership between the federal government and 13 state governments dedicated to providing social and economic support for a 13-state region stretching along the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. ARC aims to empower communities in 423 counties -- including 31 in North Carolina -- to create sustainable economic development through grant opportunities, research publication, and community sponsorships. Each year ARC provides funding for projects that improve economic opportunities, create a ready (and healthy) workforce, improve access to critical infrastructure, and build leadership and community capacity. Local Councils of Government assist with applications and notification of grant cycles. An ARC Community Development Planner can also assist with project development. Please check your local Council of Government’s website for deadlines.
Website | Grants & Opportunities | State Partners
Resource Type: Grants
American Planning Association (APA-NC)
APA-NC is the primary professional development organization for urban planners in North Carolina. The organization’s members practice in several areas including land use, GIS, transportation, housing, sustainability, community and economic development, among others. APA-NC sponsors Plan4Health NC, an initiative designed to build connections between public health officials and professional planners and raise awareness of common issues to both groups. Food and Food access is a focus area of this initiative.
Resource Type: Technical assistance, speakers
Area Hospitals as Anchor Institutions
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) is a farmer-driven, membership-based non-profit that aims to help people in North and South Carolina grow, eat, and enjoy local, organic food, flowers, and fibers. CFSA’s vision of a vibrant, sustainable food system that benefits consumers, farmers and farm workers, and the environment is sustained through trainings, targeted food system investments, one-on-one consultation, policy advocacy, and nurturing community outreach.
Resource Type: Technical assistance, consultation, trainings and workshops, food council support
Carolina Farm Credit
AgSouth Farm Credit, which is part of the nation-wide Farm Credit system, is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its members and borrowers. AgSouth provides loans for land, production agriculture, farm equipment, crop insurance, leasing, and home mortgages through 147 counties in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Dedicated to supporting local agricultural and rural communities, AgSouth provides grant opportunities of up to $5,000 to help enhance non-profit efforts in these communities.
Resource Type: Loans and small grants
Carolina Small Business Development Fund
The Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF) is a state-wide 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to disseminating capital, technical assistance, and policy research to small businesses throughout North Carolina. Since its establishment, CSBDF has provided over $100 million in aid through grants and loans to small businesses and underserved communities.
Resource Type: Loans, technical assistance, policy research
Center for Environmental Farming Systems
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is a partnership of NC State University, NC A&T State University, and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Since 1994, CEFS has worked to develop and promote just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond. Serving as an informational hub for agricultural and local food systems research, extension, and education, CEFS provides workshops and trainings, internships and apprenticeships, consumer education campaigns, and local food council support.
Website | Food Systems Initiatives
Resource Type: Research, educational resources, workshops and trainings, paid internships and apprenticeships, food council support
Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
The UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention addresses pressing health problems in North Carolina by collaborating with communities to conduct research, provide training, and translate research findings into policy and practice. The Center seeks to reduce health disparities through an emphasis on community-based participatory research, ensuring that communities are involved in every stage of research and benefit directly from these health research findings.
Website | Tools for Researchers & Practitioners | Healthy Food Access Projects
Resource Type: Research, health promotion programs and materials, food insecurity/access technical assistance, cost-offset CSA models
Circle Forward Partners
Circle Forward supports multi-stakeholder networks and organizations to co-design and integrate systems of consent-based collaborative governance. Circle Forward seeks to co-design practical and adaptive ways of governing and decision-making, in turn promoting inclusion, empowering leadership, and equal power distribution. Staff work with clients to develop skill sets for collaborative decision-making, network development for systems-level change, and strategic planning. The skills, tools and practices provided by Circle Forward create a ripple effect within networks and out into the world, increasing the forward momentum for widespread community changes.
Resource Type: Training, technical assistance
Community Food Strategies
Community Food Strategies works to empower local food councils and networks to create community-led collaboration and equitable policy change at the local, state, and national level. This multi-organizational initiative focuses on building alliances and providing tools, trainings, and statewide structure to a growing network of local food councils across North Carolina. Community Food Strategies’ food system experts provide leadership and technical support to communities interested in food council development across North Carolina, in addition to microgrants, paid student internships, and networking opportunities.
Website | NC Food Councils | Resources
Resource Type: Statewide network, technical assistance and consultation, workshops and trainings, microgrants, food council tools, paid food council internships
NC Division of Public Health, Healthy Communities Program
The Healthy Communities Program provides funding statewide to 82 of 84 health departments/districts to implement various Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention strategies. This funding enables county and district health departments to implement community-based interventions that address poor nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco use, violence and unintentional injury.
Resource Type: Grants
Feeding the Carolinas
Feeding the Carolinas seeks to find the best way for all ten Food Banks in North and South Carolina to feed more hungry people. As an organization, Feeding the Carolinas collects surplus food from manufacturers, producers, stores, distributors, and farmers; member food banks also receive widespread financial support from individuals, foundations, companies, and through bequests.
Resource Type: Statewide network, technical assistance, outreach and networking
Food System Leadership Network
The Food Systems Leadership Network is dedicated to cultivating relationships of trust and solidarity among food systems leaders – at the local, regional, and national level – and provides a platform for sharing knowledge and skill, building collective power and purpose, and acting collaboratively to transform the food system. The goal of the network is to accelerate the realization of a just, equitable, and sustainable food system that generates good food, health, and opportunity for all. The FSLN’s programs offer food systems leaders, organizations, and businesses opportunities to work more effectively, better utilize existing resources, and gain access to new models, learnings, and experiences to advance their work.
Resouce Type: Statewide network
Foundations and other Grant Funding
North Carolina has many foundations that focus on the various priorities of Local Councils and can make grant funding available for operations or programs. They include statewide foundations, but also smaller foundations based in communities.
North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
NC Agriculture Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund
Mary Reynolds Babock Foundation
BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina Foundation
Federal grants are also another opportunity for funding. For example, USDA has funding support for farm to school, community food security and more. Eligibility may be limited or require local councils to partner with Universities or NGOs, so check carefully. To find USDA grants, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture has an excellent database. Another database that can find opportunities in both foundations and government entities can be found at GrantStation (requires paid membership).
Funding from the Business Community
Many businesses (local and national) have mechanisms to support their communities, including community grant programs and sponsorships. Many of these are suited to Food Policy Council work, for example, Home Depot might support materials to build a community garden; and Lowes might support materials to build a school garden; Walmart can support a range of types of projects; many national or state banks make grants available in communities they serve, for example First Citizen’s Bank addresses hunger in communities, and Bank of America funds sponsorships and other programmatic activities. Health care programs often have funds available to improve health outcomes and support for community engagement. For examples see the Rex Endowment that operates in Wake county.
Many other large employers have corporate funding programs in their communities, and don’t forget to look at your local civic groups, churches, insurance companies, grocery stores, tractor supply companies, real estate agencies, etc. Even small amounts of money can help local food councils thrive, and it is a great way to also educate and inform businesses and business leaders about the importance of investment in local food systems to a community.
Land Grant Universities and NC Cooperative Extension
Historically, Land Grant Universities (LGUs) were established to serve as centers for agricultural education. Today, LGUs offer a wide range of degrees, but still excel as hubs of agricultural research; faculty and students focus on a range of agriculture and food systems topics including everything from soil science to animal science to SNAP education, to food science, to horticultural science, to agriculture education and marketing. North Carolina has two LGUs – NC State and NC A&T State University.
Embedded within the Land Grant University system is the Cooperative Extension Service, whose core mission is to connect the public to the innovative research and materials coming out of the associated LGU(s). Every county in North Carolina has a Cooperative Extension office and includes staff that focus on agriculture and food, health and nutrition, and youth through its 4-H programs. NC Cooperative Extension (NCCE) has many programs that can be useful to and supportive of local food councils, and staff conduct a variety of training and support programs that could be of interest.
NC State Extension | NC A&T Extension
Resource Type: Research, educational programs and materials, workshops and trainings
Natural Capital Investment Fund
THe Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF) aims to help farmers and agri-businesses invest in infrastructure, equipment, livestock, alternative energy, and land to. NCIF provides loans ($10,000 to $750,000) and business advisory services to businesses and farms in the local food value chain in NC.
Resource Type: Loans and technical assistance
NC Cooperative Extension Local Food Program
The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Local Food Program is a statewide initiative designed to facilitate the production, marketing, and consumption of locally grown, caught, and raised food. The Local Food Program engages youth, consumers, farmers, businesses, and all residents of the state with research-focused information, educational programming, capacity building, and technical assistance in areas of agriculture, marketing, local food sourcing, agricultural literacy, nutrition and healthy eating and more related to seasonal and locally sourced food. The program also offers local food system professional development courses (non-credit) intermittently throughout the year.
Resource Type: Research-focused educational programming, technical assistance, capacity building
North Carolina Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) is a network of 53 foundations through 60 counties dedicated to community empowerment and sustainable philanthropy. Through its funding, NCCF supports more than 1,200 charitable organizations throughout the state, and has awarded over $270 million in funding since 1988. Grant opportunities are offered each year through the network and other affiliate organizations throughout the state.
Website | Affiliate Foundations
Resource Type: Grants
North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development (REDD) Division
The Rural Economic Development Division (REDD) of the N.C. Department of Commerce builds strong partnerships with rural communities to promote rural resilience and economic development. In addition to operating the Appalachian Regional Commission (see above), REDD also distributes grants for community development and rural economic development.
Resource Type: Grants and loans
North Carolina Department of Agriculture
The N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services works to promote and improve agriculture, agribusinesses, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources. Provided services include grants and loans, agricultural legislation, farm and crop inspection, marketing programs.
Resource Type: Grants and loans, farmers market support
North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation
Operating in every county, the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation (NCFB) is a private non-profit organization dedicated to providing a unified voice for the interests and needs of the North Carolina farming community. The NCFB advocates for members at the local, state, national, and international level and provides educational, economic, marketing, and other services to members, including grant opportunities.
Resource Type: Grants and loans
North Carolina Sea Grant
Through research, outreach and education programs, North Carolina Sea Grant provides unbiased, science-based information to enhance the sustainable use and conservation of ocean and coastal resources to benefit communities, the economy and the environment. Sea Grant facilitates funding of millions of state and federal dollars to conduct university-based research, outreach and education programs every year. Sea Grant research addresses urgent and emerging needs in ocean and resource management, and projects touch a broad range of topics: coastal hazards, fisheries and aquaculture, healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable communities, marine education and workforce development.
Resource Type: Grants, research, graduate-student fellowships
North Carolina State Grange
Established in 1875, the North Carolina Grange has been an advocate of rural and agricultural NC communities for over a century. Focusing on grassroots efforts in legislative advocacy and educational programs, the Grange serves not only as a hub for action, but a community for all who appreciate what the Earth offers. Services provided include student scholarships, funding opportunities, fundraising events, educational programs, and more.
Resource Type: Statewide network, consultation, youth leadership camp and workshops, rural community advocacy
Resourceful Communities
Resourceful Communities creates opportunities that preserve the rural landscape, lift people out of poverty and celebrate with partner communities’ unique cultures. Working with a network of 500 grassroots and community organizations, Resourceful Communities aims to take a balanced ‘triple bottom-line’ approach that generates economic, environmental and social justice benefits by utilizing a combination of direct support, skills building, and resource connection.
Website | Grants & Other Resources
Resource Type: Free workshops, technical assistance and coaching, networking opportunities, and grants
Rural Advancement Foundational International (RAFI)
The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) envisions a thriving, sustainable, and equitable food system: where farmers and farmworkers have dignity and agency; where they are supported by just agricultural policies; and where corporations and institutions are accountable to their community. RAFI takes a whole system approach to change by cultivating markets, policies, and communities that sustain thriving, socially just, and environmentally sound family farms. Core program areas include: Challenging Corporate Power, Come to the Table, Expanding Farmers Market Access, Farm Advocacy, Farmers of Color of Network, Just Foods, and policy work.
Resource Type: Grants, technical assistance
Rural Center
The NC Rural Center works to improve the quality of life for the state’s rural people and places by developing, promoting, and implementing sound economic strategies in rural communities. The Center serves the state’s 78 rural counties, emphasizing individuals with low to moderate incomes and limited resource communities. Services provided include lending programs for small businesses, public policy advocacy, and community summits and listening sessions; the Center also promotes leadership development through its Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI).
Resource Type: Training, technical assistance, loans
Self Help Credit Union
The Self-Help Credit Union is a network of member-owned, mission-driven credit unions, as well as a nonprofit loan fund and a policy advocacy organization. They are dedicated to the mission of creating and protecting ownership and economic opportunity for all, especially people of color, women, rural residents, and low-wealth families and communities. To achieve these outcomes, the Self-Help Credit Unions provide responsible financial services, lend to small businesses and nonprofits, develop real estate, and promote fair financial practices.
Resource Type: Loans
Small Business Center Network
The Small Business Center Network supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses by being a community-based provider of training, counseling, and resource information. At the core of its vision, the Small Business Center Network is positioned to focus on entrepreneurship, small business and economic development with an emphasis on assisting start-ups, early stage, and businesses seeking disaster assistance or seeking to stabilize. Composed of 60 locations throughout the state, Small Business Centers can be found within a 30-minute drive of all North Carolinians.
Resource Type: Statewide network, technical assistance
USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development invests in rural America with loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs. This funding helps drive economic security prosperity in rural communities throughout the country, and may be accessed through state and regional offices or organization as a whole. Key initiatives include the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, Rural Placemaking, and Strategies Economic and Community Development.
Website | North Carolina Portal
Resource Type: Technical assistance, grants, loans, and loan guarantees
Local Food Portal
What is the Local Food Web Portal?
Many organizations and stakeholders across North Carolina and nationally are working with communities to develop and expand local food systems. The Local Food web portal was born out of a vision of the first legislated North Carolina state local food council. It was launched in 2013 by NC State Extension to provide local food systems resources and timely information to all residents and businesses across the state. The purpose of the website is to provide information and link to resources from Cooperative Extension, other N.C. organizations and state partners working on local food programming, and non-N.C. organizations when the resources are relevant in North Carolina. The portal also houses News Items and Events of North Carolina or regional interest. It is a dynamic portal and is intended to include new resources as they are developed over time.
Share Resources
If you have a relevant resource you would like to be considered for the portal, please complete the form below, providing the subpage of the portal that you think is the best fit for the resource, the title of the resource, authors, year developed, a link to the resource, and a short (up to two sentences) blurb about the resource. Content appropriate for posting on the Local Food portal uses inclusive language and research/evidence-based resources.
Community Food Strategies
Community Food Strategies is a multi-organizational initiative that works to empower local food councils and networks with knowledge, connections, and organizational capacity to positively impact their local food and farm community.
They provide tools, workshops, micro-grants, and statewide structure to the network of local food councils across North Carolina. Their team consists of food systems experts that provide leadership and technical support to communities interested in food council development, strategy, and advocacy.
Food councils can reach out to their team for coaching and consultation on community engagement, strategic planning, organizational development, systems thinking, facilitation expertise, and community food systems strategy.