Industrial agriculture has
disconnected us from life itself.
Local family farms bring life back to the table.
Western North Carolina is home to more than 5,000 smaller-scale family farms. But many of these farms are not economically sustainable.
More than 95% of family farms in the US will lose money this year. And, despite so many farms in WNC growing food that is healthy for people and the land, only 4% of the food purchased in this region is grown here.
Blue Ridge Foodshed Fund supports food-system stakeholders in Western North Carolina to build a self-sustaining local food economy centered around small family farms.
Why a local food economy?
A local food system refers to the production, processing, distribution, and eating of food within a specific region.
By connecting farmers directly with local buyers and eaters, we keep more food dollars circulating within our region, strengthening the local economy and our family farms.
Local food systems have the power to transform entire communities by enhancing health and wellbeing, circulating economic wealth within the community, restoring natural ecosystems, and ensuring regional food security and resilience.
Nature is our guide.
Blue Ridge Foodshed, LLC is a public benefit company — ensuring our mission is embedded into our legal DNA and profits are reinvested back into foodshed initiatives.
We believe that to generate lasting impact, we must listen, assess and act holistically. Rooted in nature's principles, we’re cultivating living ecosystems where each participant's success strengthens the whole.
That’s why we fund interconnected, multi-stakeholder initiatives in our local foodshed — creating systemic change, rather than isolated efforts.
Long-term impact requires a whole-systems approach.
HOW WE WORK
We are community-led and community-focused — devoted solely to supporting projects and organizations that align with our shared mission to localize our region’s food supply.
Integrate
We cultivate trusted relationships with farmers, food hubs, buyers, distributors, and community organizations. By bringing stakeholders together, we create synergies that benefit everyone and strengthen the entire ecosystem.
Invest
We provide grants, low/zero-interest loans, and return-based investments. Our capital circulates continuously within the foodshed, creating an ever-strengthening cycle of regeneration and shared prosperity.
Innovate
We incubate new initiatives and prototype transformative solutions tailored to our foodshed. By applying global innovations in a regional ecosystem, we aim to provide a model that can be adapted by other regions globally.
By 2035, at least 25% of the food eaten in Western North Carolina will be grown and raised by local family farms.
10-YEAR TARGET
To meet this audacious-yet-necessary goal, we have worked with food system leaders to identify these four strategic priorities that will have the greatest impact on localizing our region’s food supply: