Food Systems Archives - Carolina Farm Trust

30 Jun, 2025

Women in Agriculture: Changing the Face of Farming One Acre at a Time

By Siobhan Norbeck|2025-06-30T16:01:36+00:00June 30, 2025|Advocacy, Farmers, Food Systems, Sustainability, Sustainable Agriculture|0 Comments

Agriculture has long been seen as a male-dominated industry, but that’s changing—fast. Today, women are not just participating in agriculture; they are leading it, innovating within it, and transforming it to meet the needs of their communities. From small urban plots to large regenerative farms, women are growing food, growing businesses, and growing power.

At Carolina Farm Trust (CFT), we see this shift as a vital part of building a more just, sustainable, and inclusive food system. Our work is rooted in uplifting historically underrepresented communities in agriculture—and that includes women.

The Rise of Women Farmers

According to the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture, women now account for 36% of all U.S. farmers. More and more women are now involved in making decisions about land use, crop and livestock production, and business operations. This is not

16 Jun, 2025

Nutrition as a Human Right: Why Access to Healthy Food Matters

By Siobhan Norbeck|2025-06-16T17:55:11+00:00June 16, 2025|Advocacy, Farmers, Food Equity, Food Systems, Fruits, Health Impacts, Hunger, Mental Health, Vegetables|0 Comments

The Right to Eat Well

Food is more than just fuel—it’s medicine, a source of energy, and a key determinant of health. Yet for millions of people, access to fresh, nutrient-dense food remains out of reach. Nutrition insecurity disproportionately impacts low-income communities and people of color, contributing to chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

At Carolina Farm Trust, we believe access to healthy food is a basic human right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. Through initiatives like our Food is Health Program, we’re working to close the food access gap by delivering fresh, local food directly to communities in need.

The Link Between Food Access and Health

The connection between diet and disease is well-documented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 60% of adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease,

2 Jun, 2025

The Carbon Cost of Your Grocery Store: Why Supply Chain Reform Starts Local

By Siobhan Norbeck|2025-06-02T17:02:19+00:00June 2, 2025|Food Equity, Food Systems|0 Comments

When we walk into a grocery store, we’re often focused on what’s convenient, affordable, or familiar. What we don’t see is the invisible carbon cost riding alongside every out-of-season strawberry or pre-packaged meal—costs that accumulate with every truckload, plane shipment, and refrigerated mile.

It’s not just about the distance food travels. It’s about the entire system—from industrial-scale farming to cold-chain logistics—that’s fueling climate change.

The Real Emissions Behind Our Food

Globally, the food system is responsible for more than a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Within that figure, transportation and refrigeration are major contributors.

Refrigerated transport and storage account for approximately 15% of global food-related emissions, with diesel-powered trucks, energy-intensive warehouses, and transcontinental shipping routes playing a significant role. Many of these emissions come from

7 Feb, 2025

Beyond Hunger: The Hidden Impacts of Food Insecurity

By Siobhan Norbeck|2025-02-07T14:27:29+00:00February 7, 2025|Advocacy, economic burden, Food Equity, Food Systems, Health Impacts, Hunger, Mental Health, Sustainability|0 Comments

Food insecurity is a global crisis that reaches far beyond the empty stomachs it creates. It’s about the trauma of uncertainty—parents not knowing if they can provide dinner for their children, seniors rationing their meals to make ends meet, and individuals facing long-term physical and emotional harm. In 2023, the USDA reported that 47 million people in the U.S., including 14 million children, lived in food-insecure households. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 864 million people face hunger.

The effects of food insecurity ripple through every aspect of life, influencing health, mental well-being, and financial stability. Let’s dig deeper into the profound impacts of this crisis and explore the steps needed to create a fairer, healthier food system.

Health Impacts: Chronic Conditions and Poor Nutrition

Food insecurity doesn’t just mean fewer meals; it often means eating the

27 Jan, 2025

Reimagining Food Systems: A Path to Health, Sustainability, and Equity

By Siobhan Norbeck|2025-01-27T16:53:02+00:00January 27, 2025|Food Equity, Food Systems, Sustainability|0 Comments

The global food system is one of humanity’s greatest achievements and challenges. It feeds billions but often at the cost of environmental health, economic stability, and social equity. A recent groundbreaking study has revealed that transitioning to a sustainable food system could unlock $10 trillion in benefits annually. At Carolina Farm Trust, we believe these findings underscore the urgency to act now to reshape our food systems and ensure they benefit people, the planet, and future generations.

The Hidden Costs of Our Current Food System

Our existing food systems generate immense hidden costs. According to the Food System Economics Commission, these costs—including environmental degradation, health impacts, and biodiversity loss—amount to $15 trillion annually. Agriculture alone accounts for more than 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, pushing us toward a dangerous 2.7°C of warming

13 Jan, 2025

Let’s Talk About Food Systems: Building a Sustainable Future Together

By Siobhan Norbeck|2025-01-13T16:13:54+00:00January 13, 2025|Food Equity, Food Systems, Sustainability|0 Comments

The term “food system” encompasses the complex web of activities involving the production, processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food. Understanding this system is crucial, as it directly impacts our health, environment, and communities. At Carolina Farm Trust (CFT), we are dedicated to strengthening local food systems in the Carolinas, ensuring they are sustainable, equitable, and resilient.

Understanding Food Systems

A food system involves every step food takes from farm to table, including:

Production: Growing crops and raising livestock—the foundation of food systems. This stage includes everything from small family farms to large industrial operations.
Processing: Transforming raw ingredients into consumable products, such as turning wheat into bread or milk into cheese.
Distribution: Transporting food to markets, stores, or directly to consumers. This stage often involves complex logistics that impact food accessibility.

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