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AG 2011 07 18
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AG 2011 07 18
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Last modified
7/19/2011 2:20:33 PM
Creation date
11/27/2017 11:16:10 AM
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Meeting Minutes
Doc Type
Agenda
Meeting Minutes - Date
7/18/2011
Board
Board of Commissioners
Meeting Type
Regular
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INTRODUCTION <br />The purpose of Cabarrus County Food System Assessment is two -fold. First, it provides <br />an initial evaluation of the food system in Cabarrus County and, where appropriate, the <br />surrounding region. Second, it highlights the assets and challenges within different food <br />system segments, so strategies can be identified for building the County's local, <br />sustainable food system. This will include identifying opportunities for economic growth <br />within the County's food system and increasing consumer access to locally grown and <br />raised foods. <br />Phase I presented an overview of agricultural production in Cabarrus County as provided <br />by a review of data sources. Key findings from Phase I are summarized in Progress <br />Report: Summary of Phase I Research, which was presented to the Cabarrus Board of <br />County Commissioners in October 2010. <br />Phase II of the Food System Assessment characterizes and synthesizes the opportunities <br />and challenges identified by different stakeholders in Cabarrus County's food system, <br />including farmers and food buyers within three distinct market channels: direct -to- <br />consumer, retail, and food - service /institutional. Data across segments of the food system <br />was collected through a combination of focus groups and individual interviews. <br />Information related to vegetable and beef production is included, while consumption data <br />is included as available. An effort was also made to collect information related to existing <br />infrastructure and the County's capacity to support processing, distribution and marketing <br />of locally grown and raised foods. <br />Altogether, 60 food system stakeholders were interviewed. Almost all were <br />recommended by the County for participation. The list includes 14 producers, four <br />individuals from the food processing sector, four working in food distribution, three <br />engaged in serving direct markets, nine people working in restaurants, seven involved <br />with County institutions, five from the retail /grocery market channel, three involved in <br />emergency food assistance, three from Cabarrus cooperative extension, and six <br />consumers. (Some people are included in more than one category.) Repeated efforts were <br />made to contact other participants, primarily representatives from food processing and <br />distribution businesses and large grocery stores. Our experience proved—as we <br />suspected —that these groups are difficult to engage without formal, established <br />relationships. <br />When considering the overarching recommendations related to Phase II of data <br />collection, the issue of market access received special attention. To build a local food <br />system, local farmers need access to markets. Ideally, they will be able to sell their <br />products through more than one market channel, including retail, food - service, and <br />direct -to- consumer. As the interviews summarized here show, each market channel offers <br />different opportunities and challenges. Each presents unique requirements for producers, <br />who need different resources to access different markets. This report includes <br />recommendations for strengthening producer (and consumer) access to individual market <br />channels. It also includes five key strategic recommendations that are designed to help <br />the County build the market channels that offer the most opportunity for producers and <br />consumers. <br />3 <br />Attachment number 1 <br />1 -1 Page 238 <br />
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