The Triangle Food Commons (“the Commons”) is a grassroots community network that is identifying and acting upon food security needs in the communities of the Triangle Region of North Carolina. The Common’s network organizations include the Abundance Foundation (www.abundancefoundation.org), Spence’s Farm (www.spencesfarm.com), Land In Common (www.landincommon.org), The Leaflight, Inc. (www.leaflight.org) and Good Work (www.goodwork.org) whose goals are to transform our regional food system from 80 percent non-local to 80 percent locally grown and produced foods over the next decade.

The communities of the Triangle Region benefit from a strong, diverse base of food production, distribution outlets, training opportunities, and consumer demand. Local food producers range from large organic grower collectives to small urban community gardens. Established marketing opportunities include thriving farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture farms, restaurants, food co-ops and grocery stores promoting locally-grown foods. Training programs for new growers/producers and sustainable farming are offered by universities, community colleges, and grassroots organizations. The Triangle is increasingly aware of and has an appetite for local foods.

Dedicated groups and individuals have worked hard to get us this far – yet our regional food system is still heavily dependent on imports and healthy local foods do not reach those in the lowest income levels in our communities. The region is ripe and ready for reaching the next level – an integrated food system that expands production, marketing, training and consumption of local foods for all income levels. A strategic, focused effort dealing with each component of the food system and representing the full range of community interests and income levels is the next step.

Evolution of the regions food security will occur through engagement of Triangle communities in the Commons.  The Triangle Food Commons launched on March 29th, 2008.  It began witha a Roundtable Discussion in Chapel Hill, NC that broght together the collective wisdom of the region’s growers, community food activists, market managers, educators, and farmland protection leaders to focus on the following strategies:

1) form community farmland trust providing growers of all income levels with affordable access to land which has been taken off of the speculative real estate market.

2) coordinate and expand farm incubator programs creating opportunities for new growers to apprentice with successful growers and, assist in the transition of farm-based businesses.

3) establish a regional food distribution network and center assisting growers and producers with marketing through CSA’s, farmers markets, homeless shelters and soup kitchens, restaurants, schools and other institutions.

4) establish local currency and alternative economy valuing the contribution of all members of the community in food production and distribution. 

Following the first Roundtable Discussion, five working groups formed to continue engaging local residents in initiating a comprehensive regional food production, marketing and distribution strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuel based systems currently taxing our economy and environment.  The working groups include Local Food Distribution Systems, Alternative Local Economy, Farmland Trust, Farmer Education & Incubator and Affordable Local Food.  Each group will develop action plans and solutions for addressing their respective topic.  Visit the Working Groups page to learn more about each working group and how you can join.

A presentation of action plans and solutions will be given at the Annual Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Conference on Oct 31st 2008.