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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-19-2026; 12-2 - Information Item - Memorandum Regarding Orange County Food System Assessment ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Jonathon Smith DATE: May 5, 2026 SUBJECT: Orange County Food System Assessment In March 2026,the Orange County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension released an updated Orange County Baseline Community Food Assessment. The first edition of the document was first published in 2016 and was authored by Sophie Kelmenson, MCRP, and Sarah Prager, MPH, at the direction of the Orange County Food Council.This second edition builds off of their extraordinary work with significant updates to reflect changes in the food system since that time. This assessment utilizes a food system model adapted by Christy Shi from Cornell University's Discovering the Food System:A Primer on Community Food Systems(2002).This framework organizes the complex local food economy into seven key sectors: production, distribution and aggregation, processing, marketing, purchasing, consumption, and resource recovery. Over 30 county employees and community partners were involved in the development of this updated assessment. Key Takeaways from the Assessment include: 1. Growing Food a. Trends in Orange County's agricultural sector from 1992 to 2022, reveal a complex landscape of shifting demographics, profitability, and production characteristics.While the total number of farms increased by 58%to 687,total farmland acreage decreased, resulting in a more than halving of the average farm size.This contraction in land area is also reflected in a decline in cropland. Economically,the sector faces challenges. Despite substantial cash receipts of over$32 million in 2022, overall sales declined by 25.7% since 2017, and average gross income dropped by nearly 40%, indicating that farming is a secondary occupation for most operators. Government support has become more concentrated,with fewer farms receiving payments but with a near doubling in per- farm support. Production trends show a decline in tobacco and dairy operations, but growth in other areas like fruits, poultry, and grains.The organic sector saw a decrease in farms reporting sales but an increase in USDA-certified operations. 2. Preparing Food a. To meet the rising demand for locally sourced food, regional systems must expand beyond direct sales by developing robust processing and distribution infrastructure. 300 W.Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 1 www.orangecountync.gov 1 919.245.2057 2 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Farmers face barriers in accessing the capital and facilities needed for value-added production. Orange County, North Carolina, offers a model for success through the efficiency of Weaver Street Market's commissary kitchen and the innovation of the Piedmont Food Processing Center(PFPC), a business incubator generating millions in annual revenue.Additionally, the county's Agricultural Economic Development Grant provides essential farm capital. 3. Selling Food a. Orange County's food landscape is a mix of traditional retail, direct-to-consumer(DTC) markets, and institutional programs, all working to overcome hurdles like seasonality and logistics. While large grocery chains are a driving force, local entities like Weaver Street Market, Farmer Foodshare, and farmers' markets bridge the gap between county farms and consumers. Notably,the State of North Carolina has embraced digital equity, with major retailers and cooperatives now integrating SNAP/EBT for online ordering and delivery. Meanwhile,the DTC sector is booming; farm-to-consumer sales surged by 107%over a decade, generating a total economic impact of over$4.5 million through farmers' markets, community supported agriculture (CSAs), and on-farm stands.The region's schools and restaurants also serve as critical pillars for the local food economy. Orange County school systems leads in farm-to-school programming,though opportunities remain to increase scratch cooking and supply chain diversity. Beyond the classroom, over 120 full-service restaurants leverage North Carolina-grown ingredients to enhance quality and brand loyalty. Looking ahead, regional initiatives like Tri-COG FEEDS aim to further shorten supply chains. By investing in shared infrastructure and equitable value chains,the broader region hopes to transform local food spending. 4. Access to Food a. Food insecurity remains a significant public health challenge in Orange County, North Carolina, impacting an estimated 13%of its residents —a rate that unfortunately increased between 2019 and 2023.A major obstacle is the substantial eligibility gap, as nearly half(49%) of food-insecure individuals earn too much to qualify for federal assistance like SNAP, despite struggling with the county's comparatively higher average meal cost of$4.44.This challenge is acute among vulnerable groups, including children (9.8%food-insecure) and seniors. Federally funded initiatives like the Free and Reduced Price Meals Program,which assists 39%of local students, and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), address hunger among children. Seniors benefit from programs like the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). However, grassroots organizations are the essential frontline,with networks like PORCH and local food pantries providing emergency relief, especially during non-school hours and following benefit depletion. The ability of the County to leverage these partners, demonstrated during a temporary SNAP payment lapse in late 2025, underscores their vital role in ensuring basic nutrition and access to food resources across Orange County. S. Food Waste Diversion 300 W.Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 1 www.orangecountync.gov 1 919.245.2057 3 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA a. Orange County is actively working to reduce food waste and promote sustainability through a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. By implementing programs for both the public and commercial sectors,the county aims to divert organic waste from landfills, support local businesses, and educate the community. Key initiatives include free food waste drop-off sites at community stations and farmers' markets, a free commercial food waste collection program for businesses, and educational workshops on composting.Additionally,the county is launching a School Food Share Table Pilot Program to address both food waste and student hunger. The assessment is intended to increase awareness of the food system and its components. The project team will be working to keep data and case studies updated, and to add additional content to the assessment yearly to ensure the information is reflective of the most currently available data. It is important to note that the USDA Census of Agriculture is conducted every five years and we anticipate a large update of the assessment every five years as that is the largest data set available that provides a comprehensive look into the production, sales, and marketing pieces of the assessment. The food system assessment is located on the Orange County Cooperative Extension website at https://orange.ces.ncsu.edu/orange-county-baseline-community-food-assessment/, and available in PDF form on a request basis. Questions about this report should be directed to Orange County Cooperative Extension Director Jonathon Smith at 919-245-2057 orjonathon_smith@ncsu.edu. 300 W.Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 1 www.orangecountync.gov 1 919.245.2057