Wholespire Inc

THE GROWING LOCAL SOUTH CAROLINA PROJECT FORMALIZES A CROSS-SECTOR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM NETWORK ASPIRING TO CULTIVATE A THRIVING, EQUITABLE, INCLUSIVE, RESILIENT, AND JUST FOOD ECONOMY PROVIDING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD FOR ALL. AN INVESTMENT FROM THE USDA WILL ENABLE THE NETWORK TO 1) CONNECT AND CULTIVATE SOUTH CAROLINA'S LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY, 2) DEVELOP A PLAN CENTERED ON ADDRESSING SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES IN THE STATE'S FOOD SYSTEM, 3) CATALYZE ACTION TO ADDRESS FARMLAND LOSS, 4) INCREASE CAPACITY OF THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM, AND 5) REFINE METRICS FOR MEASURING PARTNERSHIPS. THE PROJECT IS MANAGED BY WHOLESPIRE, GOVERNED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA FOOD POLICY COUNCIL, EXECUTED AND EVALUATED BY CONTRACTED PROJECT MANAGERS, AND SUPPORTED BY PARTNERS AS FOLLOWS: THE SC DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PROVIDING FINANCIAL, PROGRAMMATIC, AND MARKETING SUPPORT; USC SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE, STAKEHOLDER, AND FOOD COUNCIL SUPPORT; THE RURAL RESOURCE COALITION AS AN ORGANIZER FOR GATHERINGS,FACILITATING A FARMLAND WORKING GROUP, AND PROVIDING ENGAGEMENT TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES; BONITA GLOBAL PROVIDING OUTREACH TO AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES; ALIANZA LATINA OF THE MIDLANDS PROVIDING OUTREACH TO LATINA COMMUNITIES; SC FOOD HUB NETWORK EXPANDING MID-TIER VALUE CHAINS; AND SC STATE UNIVERSITY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER AND CAROLINA FARM STEWARDSHIP ASSOCIATION PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FOOD AND FARMING BUSINESSES. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE NETWORK ARE GUIDED BY INPUT GATHERED AT ANNUAL MEETINGS AND THROUGH SEVERAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT MECHANISMS DESIGNED TO ELEVATE MINORITY VOICES. THE PROJECT PRIORITIZES STRATEGIES TO FILL FOOD SYSTEMS GAPS, MEET STAKEHOLDER NEEDS, AND FACILITATE MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FOOD ACCESS SOLUTIONS.