Across the country, access to fresh, locally grown food remains a challenge for many communities. Food deserts—areas without easy access to grocery stores or fresh produce—are a growing issue, particularly in urban and low-income neighborhoods. Carolina Farm Trust (CFT) is working to change that. Through CFT Market, we’re building a local food system that supports farmers, strengthens communities, and ensures that fresh, nutritious food is accessible to everyone.

Why Local Food Markets Matter

Large-scale food distribution is broken. The current system prioritizes efficiency and cost-cutting, often at the expense of farmers and consumers. Small and mid-sized farmers struggle to compete with industrial agriculture, while consumers are left with limited choices, rising prices, and food that has traveled thousands of miles before reaching store shelves.

CFT Market is a response to this broken system. It’s more than a grocery store or food hub—it’s a community-driven solution to food inequity. By prioritizing local farmers, fair wages, and sustainable practices, CFT Market is redefining what food distribution can and should be.

What Makes CFT Market Different?

At its core, CFT Market is designed to support both farmers and consumers while strengthening the regional food system. Here’s how:

🔹 Direct Support for Farmers: By sourcing from local farmers, CFT Market provides a reliable, fair-paying outlet for their produce, meats, and goods. This ensures they earn a living wage while keeping food dollars within the community.

🔹 Improving Food Access: CFT Market ensures fresh, healthy food is available in West Charlotte, a historically underserved area. By offering affordable produce and pantry staples, we’re bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.

🔹 Sustainability at the Forefront: The industrial food system contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Local markets like CFT Market reduce food miles, support regenerative farming, and help cut carbon footprints.

🔹 Catering & Wholesale: Beyond retail, CFT Market also provides catering services, a food truck, and wholesale distribution to local restaurants and institutions. This expands opportunities for farmers and food producers while serving fresh, high-quality meals to the community.

 

The Impact So Far

Since launching, CFT Market has made significant strides in transforming food access and economic opportunities in Charlotte.

Increased Sales for Local Farmers: Farmers who supply to CFT Market have seen a steady increase in sales and market stability.

More Fresh Food in Local Homes: Families in food-insecure neighborhoods now have a dependable source of fresh produce and staple ingredients.

Job Creation & Economic Growth: By employing local chefs, food handlers, and market staff, CFT Market is helping strengthen the local economy.

Sustainability Gains: With more people purchasing local, seasonal produce, food waste and emissions from long-distance transportation are decreasing.

What’s Next for CFT Market?

While we’ve accomplished a lot, there’s more work to do. Phase Two of CFT Market will expand our impact even further. Planned developments include:

➡ A Full-Scale Retail Market: A permanent space where residents can shop for fresh, locally sourced groceries.

➡ A Teaching Kitchen: A community space for cooking classes, nutrition education, and culinary training.

➡ A Meat Processing Facility: Supporting regional farmers by providing the infrastructure needed to process and distribute ethically raised meats.

➡ A Community Event Space: Bringing people together to celebrate food, culture, and sustainability.

To make this vision a reality, we need your support.

Join Us in Transforming the Food System

Building a fair and sustainable food system takes all of us. You can help make fresh, local food more accessible by supporting CFT Market. Here’s how:

Donate: Your contribution helps fund the next phase of CFT Market and supports local farmers.

Volunteer: Be part of the movement by assisting at the market, events, or farm projects.

Shop Local: Choose locally sourced food whenever possible to support sustainable agriculture.

Every dollar, every action, and every choice matters. Together, we can build a healthier, stronger, and more just food system.

Make an impact today. Donate Now