HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2012-056 Resolution Supporting North Carolina 10% Campaign and The Local Food EconomyRes. 2012 -056
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE 1110% CAMPAIGN" AND THE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY
WHEREAS, Orange County has a long history and tradition of agriculture and a local
food economy, and has supported local agriculture - as a critical component of the local
economy; of protecting farmland for future production as part of agricultural heritage, economy
and open space; and of promoting local food consumption as exemplary of a commitment to
sustainable agriculture and linkages between `farm and fork;' and
WHEREAS, Orange County partnered with several other counties and State agencies to
plan, identify, construct and fund the Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center,
located in Hillsborough and opened in 2011, which provides a means to producing value -added
products from local agricultural products, was built with over $1.4 million in grant funds from a
variety of State and federal sources, and now has 21 clients selling locally and as far away as
China; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is fortunate to be home to many agricultural entrepreneurs
and consumers who have been statewide leaders in transitioning into new and innovative
agriculture, as well as vibrant farmers markets that make local foods available to individual and
institutional consumers in the area who benefit from fresh or value -added local foods; and
WHEREAS, the W.C. Breeze Family Farm Agricultural Extension and Research Center's
"PLANT" program has now graduated 230 student - farmers since 2008, with four start-up farms
and seven individuals leasing land at Breeze farm in 2012; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina residents spend about $35 billion a year on food, and Orange
County residents spend around $300 million a year on food, meaning that 10% of this amount
spent on local foods would generate approximately $3.5 billion (or $30 million in Orange) for the
local economy; and
WHEREAS, Piedmont Grown, a 37- county regional program to promote awareness
about locally grown, raised, and made farm and food products as well as ag tourism
opportunities was launched in May 2011 with significant support from Orange County;
WHEREAS, the public health benefits of local foods have been widely researched and
found to be very beneficial to reducing childhood and adult obesity and healthy lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, the Center for Environmental Farming Systems' (CEFS) "10% Campaign" —
working in conjunction with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service - supports these local and
regional food economies and benefits local food producers, businesses and communities; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has stated goals of promoting local agriculture as a means
of promoting economic development, which provides job creation and helps protect the health,
safety and general welfare of County residents both now and in the future:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners supports the "10% Campaign" to promote the local food economy and
Res. 2012 -056
encourages County residents to commit 10% of their food dollars to supporting local food
producers and related businesses.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board instructs the County Manager and staff to
identify existing County government practices and programs that support this effort, and report
back on ways to expand or create new opportunities to further implement this goal through
County programs, initiatives, practices and events.
This, the 19th day of June, 2012.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Donna Baker,
Clerk to the Board of
Commissioners