ASAP announces cost share & promotional support for area farmers
ASHEVILLE, NC (March 16, 2015)— ASAP announces the launch of a farmer cost share program and the renewal of its popular wax produce box initiative, both designed to maximize economic opportunities for local farmers and identify “certified local food” in the marketplace in Western North Carolina. Both programs are part of ASAP’s Appalachian Grown™ program, which helps farmers enhance the competitiveness of their products in local markets. Through increased visibility of the Appalachian Grown brand, consumers can clearly identify certified local food where they shop and dine.
ASAP created the Appalachian Grown certification program in 2007 so that consumers can feel confident that the farm products they seek out in the marketplace were grown or raised in the Southern Appalachians and that their local food purchase helps support the local economy.
“Appalachian Grown is a powerful tool for farmers and consumers alike,” said Molly Nicholie, ASAP’s Local Food Campaign Director. “Resources such as the cost share program and Appalachian Grown branded wax boxes help farmers reduce marketing costs and build a cohesive identity for family farms in the Southern Appalachians. Simultaneously these programs help consumers identify authentic local farm products and can support local food, strong farms, and healthy communities with their food dollars.”
Cost share funds are made possible through support from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, and are available for farms in North Carolina to be used for design and production of custom labels, packaging, or promotional materials featuring the Appalachian Grown logo. More information about the cost share program is available at asapconnections.org.
The Appalachian Grown wax produce box program allows ASAP to use the bulk buying power of over 700 farms to offer packaging materials at an affordable price for growers, helping them meet market requirements and enhance the visibility and marketability of their products. This program is supported by the Golden LEAF Foundation, the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, and The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. A new shipment of boxes will arrive in early April in time for the spring growing season. This year, ASAP is offering discounted pallet prices for farms that pre-order. Wax box pre-orders are available now through asapconnections.org.
For more questions about the cost share program, order wax boxes, or Appalachian Grown, visit asapconnections.org, or contactmolly@asapconnections.org.
ABOUT ASAP (APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT)
ASAP’s mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food. To learn more about ASAP’s work in the region, visit asapconnections.org, or call (828) 236-1282.
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