For North Carolina’s agricultural sector, the COVID-19 pandemic was a stress test that revealed the strengths and vulnerabilities of our food supply.
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John,
For North Carolina’s agricultural sector, the COVID-19 pandemic was a stress test that revealed the strengths and vulnerabilities of our nation’s food supply.
The John Locke Foundation’s newest initiative,
Sowing Resilience ([link removed]) , highlights policy solutions designed to help our state’s top industry flourish, shoring up our food system.
In other words, we’re planting the seeds of freedom, literally and figuratively.
Our policy solutions will create a more level playing field for farmers. Removing excessive regulations will sow a more entrepreneurial environment for North Carolina’s food sector.
Our research report and our docu-series propose a number of solutions to make our food system stronger, ready to face uncertainties, like pandemics, economic downturns, and natural disasters.
Some of our top recommendations are:
1. Expand North Carolina’s regulatory sandbox to agriculture
2. Streamline zoning and permitting processes
3. Strengthen Right-to-Farm protections
4. Promote agritourism and value-added activities
5. Address the impact of ESG and environmental policies on farm profitability
6. Build coalitions to resist overly burdensome federal and state-level mandates
We’re kicking off our Sowing Resilience project with the launch of our docu-series! Watch the first episode here: Chapter 1: Origins ([link removed]) !
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Follow along with us as we explore and celebrate the strength and resilience of North Carolina’s farmers.
And if you’re wondering what you’ll learn, here’s a taste of our food supply systems origins:
* Family farms passed down through the generations
* Agricultural small-businesses
* Community-oriented distributors
* All of which represent your hard-working North Carolina neighbors
From these resilient people, we learn the path our food takes from farm to table. When we see packages on grocery store shelves, we should be thinking of the farmers, bakers, suppliers, and distributors who put them there.
It takes a lot of North Carolinians to make sure that *eastern style* barbecue you serve at your family reunion is as juicy and vinegary as it can be (I’m bracing myself for the angry emails I’ll receive for this statement). Feed suppliers, hog farmers, meat processors, distributors, and grocery store owners; all play a part in ensuring you have food on your table.
But there’s a lot more at stake for the average North Carolina home than good barbecue. During COVID-19, putting food on the table became a struggle for many of our neighbors and friends.
After COVID-19, 1.6 million North Carolinians live in a food desert. That means members of numerous communities across our state struggle to access affordable and nutritious food. When so much of North Carolina’s industry is built on agriculture and food production, this number reveals a disconnect between industry and reality.
We invite you to join us as we embark on Sowing Resilience ([link removed]) . Learn about the food supply system in your own backyard and how new solutions can ensure this system's protection and growth.
Esse quam videri,
Donald Bryson
CEO
John Locke Foundation
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