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Inspiring connections and encouraging collective action.
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At Community Food Strategies, we’ve always seen food as a connector – to people, place, history, and culture. When the NC Food Council Gathering took place back in December 2019, we couldn’t have predicted how critical our connections to food would become, in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The inequities of our food production and distribution have become even more apparent. In response, communities are rallying together to continue serving meals to kids, the elderly, and vulnerable communities. More people are starting to grow their own food in their backyards and cooking at home.
How do you build community through food?
We asked this question to participants at the 2019 NC Food Council Gathering to create this powerful reminder of the importance and value of growing and sharing food. This video brings us hope and gratitude for everything each of you is doing to imagine and create resilience.
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Remembering the NC Food Council Gathering
Last December, more than 200 of you came together to shift our food system towards equity. We were inspired by keynote speakers to 'get uncomfortable' in our work towards equity, amazed by our peers' stories and skills in sixteen workshops, celebrated local entrepreneurs, artists, chefs, and farmers at the Thursday night social, and cheered on our brave, creative Ignite speakers.
We've captured everything we could from those two days and shared photos, quotes, resources, and videos on our website for you to share and reflect on. What we learned there is still relevant right now, and even more so. Reach out and re-connect to someone you met there.
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BLOCK GRANTS TO FOOD COUNCILS
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Need support for COVID Relief work?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Food Strategies is offering block grants up to $1000 per food councils to support immediate and long-term relief efforts.
To receive the funding, each council must meet the following criteria and complete a short application form. Community Food Strategies team region leads will be reaching out to food councils within the network with the application.
ELIGIBILITY:
Applications can be submitted through May 1, 2020.
Councils can expect to receive funds within 3-5 weeks of finalizing administrative paperwork.
Read more details.
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Tuesdays, 2:30 - 3:45pm
We're hosting calls every other week to hear from food councils, share needs and opportunities, and keep each other updated with resources. Please join to hear what your colleagues are up to across the state and share your updates and questions.
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Interested in current food policy happenings in North Carolina? We convene quarterly calls around Food Recovery, Healthy Vending, and Ag Development Trust Funds. Contact Jared at jared@carolinafarmstewards.org to participate or initiate a new topic.
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Thursdays, 12:30 - 2:00pm
Facilitation skills are key to increase participation and engagement in meetings, especially virtual meetings. We've shifted our in-person 'Facilitating for More Voices' workshops to an online series that offers tips and techniques for effective and fun virtual facilitation. Join us.
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We chose to reflect and celebrate in this year's annual report by answering some questions. What are we most proud of? What gave us a breath of fresh air? Where did we see energy building? Where did we fall short? And what are we looking forward to?
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Comprehensive Resource lists
Farmers & Markets
Food Resource Maps & Policy Solutions
Nonprofits & Funding Opportunities
Consumers
How you can help the NC community during the coronavirus - an excellent list of opportunities to support NC through food banks, artist relief funds, El Centro Hispano, and more
Donate funds, time, and food to your local food bank.
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2020 Census - Everyone counts! NC Rural Center and NC Counts Coalition remind us of the importance of completing the 2020 Census for resource allocation - from disaster response, economic development, housing, and more.
Food & Farm Candidate Forums - Looking ahead to the November elections, NOW is a great time for food councils and community groups to start asking candidates for public office about their perspectives on food and farming issues. Our team can offer consultation support.
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Community Food Strategies works with 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.
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