NC 10% Campaign
Farm to Senior Services
Unlocking institutional markets for local farmers creates profitable market potential, opportunities to improve healthy food options, and greater community resilience. However, institutional local food procurement is often limited by contracts, seasonality, and supply chain logistics. Smaller county-based institutions, such as senior food services, can be more accessible and require year-round volumes that match well with small and mid-scale farms. In addition, senior food services are often connected to local government offices motivated to support the viability of local farmers and food businesses. Senior food services vary but may include home food delivery and congregate meal sites or produce box delivery programs. These services provide healthy, fresh foods to a growing older adult population that often experiences high levels of food insecurity. Farm to Senior Services programs can provide much-needed nutritious food for older adults while increasing economic opportunities
for local farmers and food businesses.
This program was a collaboration between the NC 10% Campaign, NC Cooperative Extension, Community Food Strategies, and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems. Visit the project page to learn more.
Impact
Between 2020 and 2023, three NC counties piloted a Farm to Senior Services program: McDowell, Scotland/Robeson, and Warren Counties. These pilot projects identified local food pathways into meals prepared in the senior kitchen, meals prepared by partnering caterer, and boxes of fresh vegetables and proteins aggregated through the local food hub. Through procurement and procedural changes, the county senior centers were able to support local agriculture. These pilots can serve as models for other counties across the state and country.
