1. FEAST DOWN EAST
Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Program
(SENCFS)
Feast Down East, also known as the Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Program
(SENCFS), is a non-profit, grassroots organization working towards “Bringing Farmers to
Market.” Feast Down East helps farmers (and fishermen-our “farmers of the sea”) build and
sustain their farm businesses, connects local farmers to local food businesses and educates
consumers on the importance of buying local foods. Its mission is to provide access to fresh
healthy and affordable food, expand farm employment, profit and ownership, and keep food
dollars right here in Southeastern North Carolina.
The project, co-founded by Dr. Leslie Hossfeld, Director of the Public Sociology Program at
UNCW and Rev. Mac Legerton, Executive Director for the Center for Community Action in
Lumberton, began in 2006 as an economic and community development initiative in response
to the massive job loss and high poverty in Southeastern North Carolina. SENCFS has
developed into a partnership of public and private institutions and agencies among eleven
counties along and adjoining the I-74 corridor east of I-95. SENCFS includes both rural and
urban counties in order to maximize market opportunities and profits from the sale of local
farm products for both local and regional markets. UNCW is the lead agency in the
partnership.
Feast Down East helps expand local and regional markets and provides the link between
farmer and buyer through several programs.
The Farm-to-Chef Program connects farmers and chefs and helps nurture
the development of cohesive business relationships among the two groups.
Through partnership agreements, restaurants can gain the endorsement of
Feast Down East that ensures consumers that chefs buy from local sources.
The Farm-to-School Program links the small local farmer to Child Nutrition
Programs through workshops and the FoodCorps project. Feast Down East
has partnered with FoodCorps to build school gardens, teach good nutrition
and gardening in the classroom and increase the availability of fresh local
fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria.
The Farm-to-Institution Program helps institutional food buyers promote and
easily access local food. Institutional buyers include grocers, universities,
military bases, hospitals and assisted-living facilities. With our assistance and
support, UNCW Campus Dining has become a major advocate and leader on
the Farm-to-University front.
www.feastdowneast.org

2. The Feast Down East Processing and Distribution Program is a
value-added processing and distribution center for local agricultural food
products. A collaboration between Feast Down East and limited
resource farmers throughout Southeastern North Carolina, its aim is to
ease the burden for farmers to market, process and distribute their
products. The program aggregates and delivers farm products to
restaurants, grocers, schools, universities, hospitals and assisted living
facilities in Wilmington and surrounding areas. In addition, consumers
are provided farm fresh foods through the Feast Down East Buying Club. The Buying Club
delivers to convenient drop off points located throughout the Wilmington and Burgaw areas.
The processing and distribution facility is located at the Historic Train Depot and Incubator
Kitchen in Burgaw and is equipped with value-added food processing equipment, including
flash-freeze and refrigeration storage capacity. The Feast Down East Processing and
Distribution Center is a USDA designated “Food Hub”. www.feastdowneast.org
The Resourceful Farmer Support Program is a key
element to building a strong local food system. The
program provides the support and training necessary for
farmers to grow and sustain their farm businesses and meet the demand of the market. The
program educates and trains limited resource farmers on building farm capacity, crop and
business planning, transitioning to sustainable farming practices, financial and equipment
funding opportunities and marketing. The Feast Down East Annual Regional Conference has
become the primary method for educating and training farmers.
The BUY LOCAL FOOD Campaign is aimed at creating public
awareness and support for the local food movement. Through
ongoing marketing and media promotions, Feast Down East
reaches out to the community to promote local food and educate
consumers on the importance of buying local food and
supporting local agriculture. The campaign is a key element in building consumer demand
and generating market outlets for local food.
The Healthy Communities Program addresses the childhood obesity
epidemic and lack of access to fresh healthy foods in our underserved
communities (food deserts). In partnership with VISTA, Feast Down East is
helping communities advance their own food security through leadership
training, nutrition education and heritage awareness, while increasing access to
healthier alternatives through buying clubs and fresh markets.
The State-Wide Local Food Initiative gains regional and national support
through partnerships and collaborations with local food groups and other
community and government agencies and partners.
Feast Down East programs and initiatives support its mission to join farmers, agencies,
institutions and businesses together to support, coordinate, expand and sustain the
production, processing, distribution and consumption of local foods. The goal is to create an
economically-viable, fully integrated, regional food system that benefits farmers, businesses,
food services and consumers in Southeastern North Carolina and expands and grows the
local economy.
www.feastdowneast.org