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INTERVIEW SUMMARIES I. Produce Production As mentioned above, motivated and engaged producers are critical to building successful local food enterprises. The summary below includes key points taken from telephone and in- person interviews with produce farmers who are actively participating in the County's local food system. It also includes comments made during a producer focus group. Interviewees include producer focus group participants, who will remain anonymous, plus Laura Miller and Stephen French. County Extension Director Debbie Bost and Extension Agent David Goforth were also interviewed. Questions for individual producers and focus group participants were designed to determine priorities and challenges for Cabarrus farmers. County extension staff was interviewed to gather information about current programs and county -wide conditions. Issues and themes Farmers serve direct markets Most of the small - scale, local produce farmers who currently supply food to Cabarrus residents are doing so through direct market channels (Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), food - buying clubs and farmers' markets). Farmers engaged in direct market sales like the communication with customers and the ability to sell their own product. When asked directly, five of the six producers participating in the focus group said that they prefer to stay in direct markets. These farmers also prefer to avoid any Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification, and the additional costs that go with it, even though it is required in order to access larger markets, such as grocery stores and institutions. "I am accountable for my product," said one. Farmers cited supply as a second barrier to working with institutions. "We have a lot of work to do before we can get to the point of supplying a major institution," said another. Farmers see selling at the farmers' market as a good way to interact with customers and build name recognition, but not a strong money - maker. They see the market as time - consuming for them and inconvenient for consumers. Small - scale Cabarrus producers are more interested in exploring ways to work with CSA operations and food - buying clubs. "There is the same amount of work to do a CSA, without having to spend the extra time selling," one farmer commented. CSAs and food - buying clubs rely on consumer demand for success. Farmers often must invest timeup to two years—to build name recognition before starting a successful CSA. Farmers are interested in seeing new distribution models developed to help them get their products to consumers and restaurants. Farmers Fresh Market 6 Attachment number 1 1 -1 Page 241