NC Choices promotes and advances sustainable food systems that support the local food-production chain, including farmers, processors, food buyers, distributors and consumers. We recognize that every link in the chain is negatively affected by the lack of critical research, infrastructure, accessible distribution systems and markets. We are committed to working with our many partners to overcome these obstacles; and we are encouraged by our early success.    NC Choices initiated and developed a partnership between Weaver Street Market, the state’s most successful natural-foods co-op, and Acre Station Meat Farm, a federally certified meat-processing facility located in Beaufort County. As a result, shoppers today have the choice to buy delicious, pork, raised sustainably, without the use of antibiotic and processed locally using the highest safety standards. We are also pleased to report that Whole Foods Markets is currently selling pork produced by the following NC Choices farms: Parker Farms, MAE Farms and Dogwood Nursery Farms, LLC. NC Choices is collaborating with FoodLogiQ, a Durham-based company, to develop a retail and food-service marketing initiative for local, sustainably raised meat products. The initiative will track food miles traveled from farm to retail shelf and verify sustainable-production practices. Meat-buying clubs are today’s new “direct” market. NC Choices recently launched a meat-buying club in partnership with A Southern Season, an independent specialty retail grocery, and NC Choices farmer Bailey Newton of Triple B Farms. Farmer Newton produces pasture-raised, antibiotic-free pork; has it safely processed at a federally certified facility and packaged according to customer specifications. Customers pick up their orders at the store whenever it is convenient for them. We are also working to connect faith-based, neighborhood, business and non-profit organizations with local farmers who produce high-quality food safely and sustainably Start a local buying club today...