Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
25 <br /> FINAL DRAFT-5-27-26 <br /> Box 2. Orange County Citizen Amy Thomas <br /> on the Importance of Local Farms and Food <br /> "Local farming is S000 important for many reasons. Here <br /> are just a few that resonate with me; <br /> 1)Food grown by trusted local farmers is much fresher, <br /> flavorful,packed with nutrition, and free of potential <br /> contaminants as compared with food that is grown at and <br /> transported over a distance(sometimes a GREAT <br /> distance)to end up in 'super'markets. <br /> 2)Food grown locally helps reduce environmental <br /> impacts by reducing the carbon footprint associated <br /> with airplane, truck, and train fuels, (as well as traffic!) <br /> during transportation of products. <br /> 3)Local farming equals support of local economies. Period. <br /> In keeping with residents' view of the importance of local agriculture, direct-to- <br /> consumer sales from Orange County farms have increased steadily over the <br /> past decade coincident with growth in market opportunities including farmers <br /> markets, CSAs (community supported agriculture programs), grocery store <br /> cooperatives, intermediated sales, and restaurants (Kelmenson, 2016; <br /> Agricultural Census, 2022). [Photos 8 and 9] <br /> Orange County citizens surveyed for input to the <br /> County's 2050 Land Use Plan identified protecting <br /> agricultural/working lands and healthy soils as a <br /> most important environmental need. <br /> Local food hubs have operational expertise and capacities in food aggregation <br /> and distribution to support Orange County farmers in expanding their markets. <br /> Local food hubs provide aggregation and distribution centers within short drives <br /> of Orange County farmers, and they have systems in place for marketing and <br /> sales to local and regional institutional and individual buyers. They offer the <br /> potential to expand wholesale market opportunities for farmers and farmer <br /> cooperatives. Food hubs can aggregate, store, and distribute products from <br /> 23 <br />