$2,970 Awarded to Local Beginner, Minority & Veteran Farmers for Supporting Their Operation

BURGAW, NC (December 18, 2023) – Feast Down East is thrilled to announce the second round of winners for its inaugural Farmer Scholarship Program, through funds provided by the Resourceful Community Foundation. The scholarships, valued up to $450 each, have been awarded to local farmers within 100 miles of Feast Down East’s Food Hub. The program specifically focuses on supporting beginner, first-generational, minority, and veteran farmers to provide funding for their operations and farms that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship.

The Winning Farms Are:

Eastern NC Farmer Collaborative

Fairport Farms

NC Green Supply Co.

Old 30 Dirty Family Farm

Shades of AgriKulture

Stanistreet Farm

Swayback Branch Family Farm

“The Farmer Scholarship Program was created after noting barriers our farmers were experiencing in leveraging funds that could be invested into their farm businesses that could increase on-farm production and distribution opportunities. We are committed to supporting our local farming community and encouraging sustainable, responsible farming practices while addressing barriers experienced through innovative programs such as this. Feast Down East is proud to support our local farms, many of which are beginner, minority-owned or veteran-led,” said Jordyn Appel-Hughes, Executive Director.

Feast Down East offers regional farmers sales and distribution opportunities to diversified customer markets, in addition to technical assistance, education and the Farmer Scholarship program through their Food Hub in Burgaw. Allowing farmers financial security to focus on growing and raising their delicious and healthy food, while keeping it affordable to their customers, creating a vibrant economic system. Through their Food Hub and Local Motive Mobile Farmers’ Market, Feast Down East programs are able to bring local healthy food throughout Wilmington and the surrounding area, reaching a diverse range of customers with local, farm-fresh products. From Tidal Creek Co-op, UNCW Campus Dining and Savorez, to the Wilmington Housing Authority sites, CENC Food Bank and Novant Health clinics, Feast Down East is a reliable resource for farmers and consumers seeking to close the food system loop.

This holiday season please consider contributing to Feast Down East to support their mission to strengthen our local food system, through their Food Hub’s distribution opportunities for local farmers, and their Mobile Market providing access to healthy local food to communities in need, any donation goes a long way. For example, a $450 donation provides a local farmer with a scholarship to cover operational expenses – and since Feast Down East is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, all donations are tax deductible.