Asheville hosts forum on Growing the Appalachian Food Economy

With local-food sales predicted to reach $7 billion this year, it makes sense for cities, counties, states and regions to focus on the local food company. To that end, the Appalachian Regional Commission is hosting a forum on the issue today and tomorrow, April 4, at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel. As one participant noted via Twitter, “Sustainable farming only occurs when social responsibility, environmental stewardship and economic viability work together.”

For information about the event, click here. For a roundup of reports via Twitter from today’s sessions, see below.

9:26 AM Follow Charlie’s presentation, and the #localfood conversation at the @ARCgov forum all day w/ !

9:45 AM RT @asapconnections Follow Charlie’s presentation, and the #localfood conversation at the @ARCgov forum all day w/ !

11:29 AM RT @InglesDietitian:  “the # of farmers mkts in US has incr by 150% in last 10yrs.” #avleat

12:00 PM RT @ARCgov: See 1st day of ARC’s Food Economy forum in NC on 4/3,livestreaming site here: http://t.co/TJpO9NTh

12:01 PM RT @ARCgov: There is much more to Appalachia’s food economy than farms & tailgate markets.  http://t.co/EkAJEcjF

12:02 PM RT @ARCgov: We’re here to create stronger food systems & vibrant communities says ARC Federal CoChair Earl Gohl at forum

12:07 PM RT @ARCgov: See 1st day of ARC’s Food Economy forum in NC on 4/3,livestreaming site here: http://t.co/DnUr58tj

12:47 PM Charlie Jackson (@asapconnections) talks RE: transforming local food systms for econ dvlpmnt http://t.co/MPpcUX4q

12:54 PM RT @ARCgov: Local food sales in the U.S. are predicted to reach $7 billion this year.

12:54 PM RT @InglesDietitian: Via Charlie Jackson @asapconnections “people want local food”

12:55 PM RT @SouthernSARE: Charlie Jackson: Provide models of success to farmers to help them build regional capacity.

12:55 PM RT @InglesDietitian: I’m at 2 talk abt how #Ingles has worked w/ @asapconnections since ‘06 & selling local 4 almost 50yrs

12:58 PM RT @ARCgov: Local food is here, it’s growing, it’s exciting says ARC North Carolina State Alternate Jim McCleskey.

12:58 PM RT @ARCgov: Appalachia has the potential to lead the nation in local foods says Charles Jackson of ASAP

12:59 PM RT @ARCgov: ARC FedCoChair EGohl encourages Appalachians to keep pace w/ growing demand for local foods http://t.co/uCOJqydL

12:59 PM RT @SouthernSARE: Anthony Flaccavento: 6-state 2011 study: foods in farmers markets same price or lower than grocery stores

1:00 PM RT @chefbillyd “Sustainable farming only occurs when social responsibility, enviro stewardship, econ viability work together”

3:15 PM RT @SouthernSARE: Brian Snyder: what if we thought of a food shed and a water shed as one in the same?

3:15 PM RT @chefbillyd: “A ‘foodshed’ is the geographical area from which a population derives it’s food supply.”

3:16 PM RT @SouthernSARE: Farmers Market Coalition http://t.co/nhX7IkUC

3:16 PM RT @InglesDietitian: Via what is the definition of “local”? Should it be more related to the water shed model?

3:16 PM RT @SouthernSARE: RT @chefbillyd: “A ‘foodshed’ is the geographical area from which a population derives it’s food supply.”

3:17 PM RT @jm4501: Farmers markets as centers for community learning and gardening

3:17 PM RT @buckeyehillsrdd: Key concepts in sustainable ag:  diversity, balance, regeneration, continuous improvement, alignment

3:18 PM RT @SouthernSARE: Stacy Miller w/FMC: Local Food Hub in Charlottesville, VA has bought $1million of food from local farmers

4:15 PM RT @buckeyehillsrdd: The national Farm to School program – here’s link to Ohios program http://t.co/udjWdCRZ

4:39 PM RT @chefbillyd: “I’ll never go another year w/o growing my own food.” Michael Porterfield (New Sprout Farm) …

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Margaret Williams
Editor Margaret Williams first wrote for Xpress in 1994. An Alabama native, she has lived in Western North Carolina since 1987 and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville in 2016. Follow me @mvwilliams

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.