The N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center is sowing the seeds of a vibrant local food ecosystem by bringing a “whole office approach” to their Farm to Early Childcare and Education (Farm to ECE) initiative. This initiative aims to provide education and local food procurement for early childcare centers to encourage healthy choices from a young age while supporting local agriculture. By working together, this team brings expertise in local food systems, horticulture, family and consumer sciences, youth development, and community development to offer a suite of services to five childcare centers across the county to promote connections to local food and healthy eating.
N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center excels at using a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach for local food system development. They developed a comprehensive initiative called ROOTEd, which encompasses food preparation, gardening, and local food procurement. This three-pronged approach addresses multiple aspects of Farm to ECE, creating a strong network of support for daycare centers and the wider community.
The success of the Farm to ECE Farm to Fork Connection program exemplifies the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center's commitment to collaboration and education. The office offers the following services for childcare centers across the county:
- Garden Support - Assistance with purchasing and installation of on-site gardens at daycare centers as well as support with maintenance tasks and guidance on plant care and pest control.
- Virtual and on-site farm visits - In-person or virtual interviews with local farmers to learn about the different seasonal produce they grow, how they grow them, and to see the different parts of their farm.
- Color Me Healthy Curriculum - Steps to Health programming that focuses on promoting physical activity and healthy eating behaviors through sensory exploration
- Local food purchasing and capacity building - Weekly coordination of bulk ordering of seasonal local foods from a local food hub as well as distribution of orders to facilitate use of local foods for meals offered in centers.
- Farm to Fork Connection – A three-pronged program covering all three facets of Farm to ECE (gardening, cooking, and local food purchasing) through exploration and learning about local farms, plants and pollination, and preparation of healthy snacks all centered around a seasonal fruit or vegetable.
Lee County's local foods landscape offers unique advantages and challenges. Being “well centered” (as marketed by the City of Sanford) near densely populated counties enables the establishment of a robust local food corridor, connecting local farmers with larger markets. The county's ecological diversity supports diverse cropping systems. However, the spread-out farms pose distribution challenges, making the team’s coordination efforts vital.
According to the team, the future of local foods in North Carolina looks promising, but also challenging due to population growth and climate change. Strengthening connections between producers and consumers, fostering local food corridors, and promoting sustainable practices will be crucial in ensuring a resilient local food system for the state.
For Local Foods Coordinators across the state, the Lee County team offers valuable advice: collaboration is key. They emphasize the importance of teamwork among Extension program areas, community organizations, and farmers. This approach can be replicated to provide comprehensive local food programming that benefits communities, especially the youngest members.
The N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center's dedication to nurturing local food connections showcases the power of collaboration and community engagement. Their innovative Farm to ECE program sets an example for a holistic, system-wide approach that empowers communities and encourages healthier lifestyles.
