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state inspected, which means the corn is checked every 30 days. He prefers to keep corn chilled to store it, as opposed to using chemicals to keep it bug -free. Jim Daily is a processor and distributor for nutritional herbs and supplements. Some high demand herbs that can be grown in Cabarrus are Echinacea, milk thistle, dandelion, garlic and possibly ginger. If grown in Cabarrus these products would need to be processed and cleaned at another facility. Most herb processing facilities are in California. Summary Processing options are limited to non - existent for small -scale Cabarrus farmers. A facility with space for washing, cooling, freezing, storing and packaging would help vegetable producers diversify their product offerings and increase the efficiency and potential scale of operations. As a result, producers will be better able to increase their access to a variety of market channels, including larger markets, such as restaurants, grocery stores and institutions. The new slaughter facility at the Cruse Meat plant will help fill that gap for local beef farmers, but an opening date for the facility is still unknown. Recommendations 1. Collaborate regionally to determine ways Cabarrus can facilitate producer access to processing infrastructure. The County is currently working with Shi and numerous other partners to research regional data related to food production and consumption that can be used to develop infrastructure. Continued participation in this effort will enhance future opportunities for Cabarrus farmers. As mentioned above, Appalachian Sustainable Development's Appalachian Harvest Network serves as a model for a regional processing facility that gives farmers access to wholesale markets. 2. Continue communicating with beef and vegetable producers to clarify processing needs. IV. Marketing and Distribution A. Direct Market Channel Across North Carolina, sales of food through direct market channels— farmers' markets, CSAs, buying clubs— continues to increase. However, they make up only a small percentage of total food sales. In 2009, a mere two percent of U.S. consumers reported purchasing the majority of their food at farmers markets.' Yet as consumers continue to value detailed information about how and where their food is grown— information that is more likely to be available through direct market channels"—direct markets offer an opportunity for growth, both across the state and in Cabarrus County. Cabarrus has 37 farms that sell directly to consumers."' This summary includes key points taken from telephone and in- person interviews with some of these vegetable and meat producers, as well as interviews with County Extension staff and small business owners selling locally- produced food through direct market channels. Questions were designed to assess challenges and opportunities associated with direct markets. 14 Attachment number 1 1 -1 Page 249