NCACC Is Excited to Present: The Resilience Initiative Report | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Press Release:

    Dear County Leaders,

    When I announced my presidential initiative last August, we were in the midst of a global pandemic and were seeing unprecedented levels of need for food assistance. I appointed a task force of dedicated county leaders to join me in better understanding how counties can play a role in strengthening the local food system and reducing food insecurity.

    Over the past several months, the Resilience Task Force has met virtually to collect data and information about the different aspects of the food system. The Task Force heard from state leaders, nonprofit partners, and local growers and producers to understand the challenges and opportunities that exist within local food systems. It is clear that this is a complex issue and deserves our best effort to try and make change.

    The culmination of this work is a report that outlines strategies for counties to consider to expand access to food for our most vulnerable residents.

    I thank my Co-Chairs, Sue Hinman, Granville County Commissioner and James West, Wake County Commissioner, and the entire Task Force for their continued dedication to this important work. I also thank all the counties that adopted a resolution in support of my Resilience initiative.

    We are pleased to release the digital report today and counties will receive a hard copy of the report in the mail in the coming weeks. We hope all counties can use the report to launch efforts to address food security in communities across the state.

    Warmly,

    Ronnie Smith     2020-21 NCACC President

    Martin County Board Chair and Commissioner