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.