Source:  NCDA&CS, 1/19/10

A statewide council focused on growing the local food economy in North Carolina will hold its first meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the State Fairgrounds.

The N.C. Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council will meet at 2 p.m. in the Martin Building. The meeting is open to the public.

The General Assembly adopted legislation creating the council last summer. Its diverse membership includes Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, State Health Director Jeff Engel and Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco or their designees, plus farmers, educators, food industry executives, community activists and local-food advocates. Members were appointed by Troxler, Gov. Beverly Perdue, Senate leader Marc Basnight and House Speaker Joe Hackney.

“North Carolina agriculture makes many positive contributions to the state’s economy and environmental quality,” Troxler said. “Agriculture creates jobs, preserves open space and provides our citizens with nutritious food. I’m looking forward to this council going to work to benefit North Carolina by expanding our local food economy.”

The General Assembly charged the council to focus its work on four subjects: health and wellness, hunger and food access, economic development, and preservation of farmlands and water resources. By law, the group will meet at least four times a year.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has created a Web site to share information about the council and its work. Log on to www.ncagr.gov/localfood.