Rural Advancement Foundation International – USA’s (RAFI-USA) Come to the Table program (CTTT) recently launched a new community partnership, a Wake County CSA connecting churches in Wake County with farmers of color in their community. You can learn more about this project by reading this Indy Week article.
Farmers of color in the United States continue to endure systemic racism within the food system that causes significant and consistent social, economic, and political harm. Census data shows the average NC farmer runs a 168-acre farm whose market value exceeds $250,000 per year; for African American farmers, the average is 95 acres. Given the issues that farmers of color face – and RAFI-USA’s experience in working with churches, farmers markets, and farmers of color – RAFI-USA developed the Farm and Faith Partnerships Project, and its pilot project, the Wake County CSA.
The CSA is currently in its spring season, but we are looking for churches that might be interested in participating in the summer or fall cycle. If your congregation is interested in building relationships with farmers in your community and purchasing fresh, healthy food, visit our website or contact Farm and Faith Partnerships Project Manager Jarred White at jarred@rafiusa.org for more information.