Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Wilmington, N.C. - The local food movement continues to grow with the launch of www.FeastDownEast.org, a community website resource to help build the food economy of Southeastern North Carolina. Developed by the local non-profit group Feast DownEast, the site will make it easier for consumers, restaurants, schools, universities, hospitals and other food service operations to put local foods on their plates or in their facilities.

Site visitors will be able to:
- Connect with local farmers and foodies via live video interviews
- Find restaurants serving local food sourced from Southeastern N.C. farmers
- Join the 10% Campaign statewide local food initiative
- Get to "Know Your Farmer" through insightful personal profiles
- Learn how to start a community garden

Farmers can access a multitude of marketing, business and farming resources to help build and sustain their farm businesses. Chefs can market their local food cuisine while learning more about buying from local farmers through the SENC FOODS cooperative distribution center.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is the lead agent for Feast DownEast, also known as Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Program (SENCFS). Feast DownEast was established in early 2007 with the goal of uniting public and private agencies to create a local and regional food system that supports local farmers, increases the sales of local farm products, educates the public about the importance of "buying local" and sustains and expands farm employment, profit and ownership.

Media contact:
Jane Steigerwald, Feast DownEast program director for marketing and institutional buying, 910.383.1916 or steigerwaldj@uncw.edu