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dbL Large chains dominate market In the 1990s, Cabarrus County was home to a successful independent and locally owned grocery, Dover Supermarket, which had three locations as of 1998. Today large grocery chains dominate the market in both Cabarrus and Mecklenburg Counties. Fresh Market and Earth Fare, two smaller chains with multiple stores in the southeast, have locations in Charlotte. Some of these stores label produce as locally grown, even though it is grown too far away for many to consider it local. Company web sites reveal that Lowes Foods, Harris Teeter and Food Lion all carry independent organic label products. There is no evidence that these products are sourced locally. Albert's Organics is interested in working with local farmers, but they must be certified organic. The bulk of their business goes to mass markets, which is interpreted (but not confirmed) to be big grocery store chains. They also serve natural food stores, some buying clubs and some food service /institutional accounts. Food Lion identifies N.C. farms that provide products to the store, but individual products are not connected to individual growers. The farms appear to be large operations, and it is unclear how much of the store's produce they supply. Food Lion sells "Got to be NC" products and includes the label on its web site. The company, headquartered in Salisbury, has promoted N.C. products in the past, through the "Got to be NC" label and a partnership with the N.C. Department of Agriculture. The most recent promotion was in July 2007. North Carolina products were featured in sales fliers and product samples in stores across the state .65 A conversation with a Food Lion produce manager reports he is ordering products from Food Lion buyers. These buyers purchase products on a very large scale. For example, they bid on entire fields of strawberries at a time. Demand increasing slowly Demand for locally - produced products is increasing slowly, but cost is often more important to customers, especially given the recent recession. Extension Director Bost agrees with other interviewees who said that consumers need convenient retail access to locally produced food. Two small operations — one in Davidson County and one in Mecklenburg County — report a steady demand for locally - raised beef, poultry and pork. As mentioned above, Earth Fare also sells grass -fed beef raised in North Carolina at both its Charlotte locations. Earth Fare is committed to its local grass -fed beef program, even though it faces challenges related to volume and price. Hispanic grocery store Super Macado currently offers In order to access grocery stores, small -scale independent farmers need access to infrastructure as well as distributors who are willing to work with them. locally - produced cheese that sells fairly well. The owner is open to working with more local farmers. Three butchers work at the store. Farmer education, infrastructure needed to access market In order to access grocery stores, small -scale independent farmers need access to infrastructure, as well as distributors, who are willing to work with them. Many distribution companies that now deliver to grocery stores require farmers to have GAP certification, which can be expensive for small producers. Many Cabarrus farmers prefer to avoid the need for GAP certification if at all possible. Independently owned grocery stores are ideal markets for small -scale independent farmers. Yet in order to be successful, these stores need distributors who are willing to make deliveries scaled to their smaller size. New farmers may not be aware of which products are suitable for sale in grocery stores. "Some bring me products that are too large or too unusual for me to sell," says one store owner. `It would be good for someone to educate them about the market perspective." Farmers have expressed an interest in having a cooperative grocery store in Cabarrus County, a place to sell their produce. Others have said they are not interested in selling for wholesales prices. The County is exploring the potential for using existing spaces for local food retail and /or revitalization. Members of the Food Policy Council have traveled to look at other North Carolina cooperative grocery stores that could serve as potential models. Cabarrus County Food System AsAsesssment nurser 1 1 -1 Page 647