Call Your Reps! Help the DCLFN Overcome Funding Freeze

Join the Effort to Sustain Local Food Access and Support Community Health During Critical Funding Challenges

The funding freeze is real, and it’s impacting vital services in our community. As we navigate this challenging time, your voice matters more than ever! We need your help to keep supporting local farmers, providing fresh, nutritious food to families, and fostering a sustainable local food system.

How You Can Help:

1. Call Your Representatives:
   Contact your local representatives and express your support for funding that benefits the Davidson County Local Food Network (DCLFN) and the broader local food economy. Your voice can make a significant impact in ensuring our work continues without interruption.

2. Become a Piedmont Fresh Customer:
   Another way to support DCLFN is by becoming a Piedmont Fresh customer. By purchasing fresh, locally grown food from participating farms, you help sustain our mission and support local agriculture. Your subscription helps keep the network running, ensuring that our farmers have access to wider markets and that fresh food remains available to our community.

3. Make a Donation:
   Your generosity can directly fuel the continued success of DCLFN. Donations to our organization help ensure that our programs remain active, and that we can keep working to create a thriving local food system. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference!

The funding freeze may present challenges, but together, we can continue to build a stronger, more resilient local food economy. Let’s stand together to support our local farmers, families, and food system.

Take action today! Call your reps, become a Piedmont Fresh customer, or make a donation to DCLFN. Together, we can keep the momentum going and support the vital work that benefits us all.

Davidson County Food Network Welcomes Jim Crawford as Director

Davidson County Local Food Network Welcomes Jim Crawford as Program Development Director

Written by Samantha Snyder

Jim Crawford (Right)

Davidson County, NC — Since 2014, the Davidson County Local Food Network (DCLFN) has been dedicated to addressing the county’s local food infrastructure challenges. In response to these needs, DCLFN has supported local farmers markets, promoted local food education through its annual farm tour, and in 2022 launched Piedmont Fresh, a food hub that connects farm products to the community through online orders and food access programs like Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s FarmsSHARE and Second Harvest’s Farm Fresh Nourish programs. As DCLFN continues to expand its impact, the organization is investing in its future infrastructure with the support of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation’s Community Progress Fund. This grant has enabled DCLFN to hire Jim Crawford as its new Program Development Director, beginning in January 2025. With a diverse career spanning education, healthcare, corporate productivity, and advertising, Jim brings a wealth of experience to strengthen DCLFN’s programs and advance its local food access initiatives. One of his priorities is establishing a local food produce box program for veterans. 

“We are thrilled to have Jim join our team,” enthused Board Chair Grace Kanoy. “His wealth of experience will not only strengthen our team but also enhance our collective impact. Jim will help build upon the strong relationships we’ve established with our stakeholders while also mentoring and helping our young team grow. With his leadership, we’re confident that our efforts will benefit not just Davidson County, but the entire Triad region as we continue our mission to strengthen the local food system and ensure everyone has access to fresh, nutritious, locally grown food.”

Jim is energized by the alignment of values he has found with DCLFN. “Few times in my career in regenerative medicine and research into inflammatory disease have I been so inspired by a team so very dedicated to providing all the people of our Triad region a truly healthy choice of fresh, locally grown and produced food by farmers who are members of our community.”

Davidson County Local Food Network

The Davidson County Local Food Network (DCLFN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening connections across the local food system, from farmers and nonprofits to corporations and consumers. DCLFN supports the Lexington and Thomasville Farmers Markets, and hosts the annual Davidson County Farm Tour. Twice a year, they publish the Local Food Guide, a comprehensive directory of farms, along with insightful articles about regional makers and growers. In 2022, they launched Piedmont Fresh, a food hub that collaborates with local food access initiatives like Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s FarmsSHARE and Second Harvest’s Farm Fresh Nourish as well as offering online retail and wholesale options. Guided by the belief that everyone deserves access to nutritious food, DCLFN is committed to building a healthier, more equitable local food system.

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Indulge in Sweet Treats This Valentine’s Day

Treat Your Sweet Tooth

Written by: Samantha Snyder

With Valentine’s Day approaching, you have to try these treats - they are more proof that everything is better local!

Sweeten Your Valentine’s Day

SandyCreek Farm is offering a Valentine's Day sale exclusively for Piedmont Fresh customers! During the ordering windows from Friday, January 31st through Monday, February 3rd and Friday, February 7th through Monday, February 10th, J's Chocolate Sauce will be 20% off, while supplies last! Enjoy with fresh fruit, drizzled on ice cream, stirred into your coffee…the possibilities are endless!

More Valentines Day Goodies

Whether you’re hosting a Valentine’s Day/Galentine’s Day party, putting together a gift box for a loved one, or simply treating yourself, lovely and indulgent options abound. Do you have a soft spot for baked goods? Rabble and Rise offers a scrumptious selection including Kahlua Sour Cream Coffee Cake, cookie stacks (either Chocfulls or Peanut Butter, packaged in a bag with a bow), or a big cookie and brownie party box full of assorted flavors! Do you prefer candies and chocolates? SandyCreek Farm has brand new Oreo Cheesecake truffles, chocolate dipped pretzels with sprinkles, and even peanut butter protein balls for an extra boost!

Create a Balance with Microgreens

Along with enjoying all the delicious treats associated with this time of year, make sure you bring balance to your diet with plenty of protein, fruits, vegetables, and greens. Whether you’re garnishing a juicy ribeye or wagyu steak, or looking for something fresh to add to tacos and wraps, microgreens are an excellent way to pack flavor and nutrition into your meal. Find your favorite flavor - choose from Nourish Farm’s leek, cilantro, pea, or green shiso microgreens - and enjoy!

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Order Fresh, Local Food

Welcome to your local food hub in Thomasville, NC! From Fridays at noon to Mondays at midnight, you can order fresh, locally sourced foods and ingredients. Once you've placed your order, pick it up on Thursday afternoons at one of our convenient locations in Winston-Salem, High Point, Lexington, or Thomasville. Enjoy the freshest produce and products while supporting local farms and businesses!