Farmer Resources
Farmer resources available from Farm to ECE Connections
General Resources
- How Farmers Can Use the NC Farm to ECE Connections Map
- A Guide to Selling Local Food To Child Care Providers
By Colorado Farm to Child - Farmer Workshop: Bringing the Farm to Early Care and Education
By Michigan State University - Farm to Early Care & Education for Growers
By Rooted - Add Your CSA to the Local Harvest Map
By Local Harvest
CSA Management Software - Accepting SNAP / EBT Payments
By Rafi USA - Becoming a SNAP Authorized Retailer
By USDA
Get assistance on becoming a SNAP authorized retailer. - Online Ordering and Payment Platforms
By National Farm to School Network - Farm Bill Policy Priorities 2023
By National Farm to School Network
Food Safety
- A Farmer’s Handbook to the USDA Harmonized GAP Standard Version 3.0 (2024)
By Carolina Farm Stewardship Association - Antimicrobial Use in Produce Wash Water
By Carolina Farm Stewardship Association - Biological Soil Amendment of Animal Origin (BSAAO) Use
By Carolina Farm Stewardship Association - CFSA’s Guide to When to Clean, Sanitize or Disinfect
By Carolina Farm Stewardship Association - Fundamentals of On-Farm Safety
By Carolina Farm Stewardship Association - Good Agricultural Practices for Small Diversified Farms
By Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
Frequently Ordered Produce
| Produce Item | Order Frequency (%) |
|---|---|
| Apples (manzanas) | 95.7% |
| Strawberries (fresas) | 86.6% |
| Cucumbers (pepinos) | 85.4% |
| Watermelon (sandia) | 83.3% |
| Peaches (duraznos) | 82.8% |
| Blueberries (arándanos) | 81.1% |
| Carrots (zanahorias) | 76.6% |
| Pears (peras) | 76.3% |
| Broccoli (brócoli) | 75.4% |
| Sweet Corn (maiz dulce) | 71.3% |
| Cantaloupes (melones) | 71.1% |
| Lettuce (lechuga) | 70.6% |
| Potatoes (papas) | 65.6% |
| Sweet Potatoes (batata) | 65.6% |
| Tomatoes (tomates) | 62.9% |
| Green Peas (guisantes) | 61.2% |
| Honeydew (melón dulce) | 55.3% |
| Cherry Tomatoes (tomates) | 52.6% |
| Cabbage (repollo) | 48.8% |
| Zucchini (calabacín) | 48.3% |
| Spinach (espinaca) | 46.9% |
| Plums (ciruelas) | 46.4% |
| Squash- Yellow (calabaza) | 46.4% |
| Nectarines (nectarinas) | 45.7% |
| Blackberries (moras) | 44.5% |
| Onions (cebollas) | 41.6% |
| Greens (verduras) | 41.4% |
| Romaine (lechuga romana) | 34.9% |
| Collards (coles) | 34.4% |
| Green Onions (cebollas) | 31.6% |
| Herbs (hierbas) | 29.7% |
| Pumpkins (calabazas) | 29.7% |
| Snap Beans (judías verdes) | 29.7% |
| Okra (okra) | 28.2% |
| Garlic (ajo) | 27.5% |
| Kale (col rizada) | 26.3% |
| Butterbeans (frijoles) | 25.8% |
| Mushrooms (hongos) | 25.6% |
| Muscadine Grapes (uvas) | 24.2% |
| Snow Peas (guisantes) | 22.5% |
| Mustard Greens (hojas de) | 21.8% |
| Asparagus (espárragos) | 21.5% |
| Pecans (nueces pecanas) | 19.9% |
| Peanuts (cacahuete) | 18.9% |
| Turnips (nabos) | 18.9% |
| Indian Corn (maiz criollo) | 14.6% |
| Figs (higos) | 12.9% |
| Sprite Melons (melones) | 12.9% |
| Beets (remolacha) | 12.4% |
| Eggplant (berenjena) | 12.0% |
| Radishes (rábanos) | 11.7% |
| Tomatillos (tomatillos) | 8.9% |
| Persimmons (caquis) | 8.6% |
| Bokchoy (repollo chino) | 6.2% |
Frequently Ordered Dairy Products
| Dairy Product | Order Frequency |
|---|---|
| Cheese (queso) | 79.19% |
| Yogurt (yogur) | 75.36% |
| Cow's Milk (leche de vaca) | 70.81% |
| Lactose Free Milk | 33.01% |
| Almond Milk (leche de almendra) | 28.95% |
| Soy Milk (leche de soja) | 23.92% |
| Goat's Milk (leche de cabra) | 5.26% |
Frequently Ordered Meat/Meat Alternatives
| Meat / Meat Alternative | Order Frequency |
|---|---|
| Eggs (huevos) | 61.4% |
| Chicken (pollo) | 55.7% |
| Turkey (Pavo) | 53.4% |
| Bacon (tocino) | 46.6% |
| Sausage (embutido) | 42.3% |
| Ground Turkey (pavo molido) | 42.8% |
| Pork (Cerdo) | 42.0% |
| Beef (carne de res) | 38.0% |
| Ground Chicken (pollo molido) | 34.7% |
| Turkey Bacon (tocino de pavo) | 32.8% |
| Ground Beef (carne molida) | 27.8% |
| Tofu (tofu) | 9.1% |
| Tempeh (soja fermentada) | 1.7% |
| Hempeh (cáñamo) | 1.2% |
| Plant Based Meats (carnes de origen vegetal) | 0.2% |
Ways Farmers Can Use the Farm to ECE Connections Map
- Review the Frequently Ordered Food Graphs located in the "Farmer Resources" tab, and consider cultivating commonly ordered foods in the upcoming growing season.
- Reach out to child care sites in your service area by selecting the county or counties you serve and taking the following actions where applicable:
a. Send email postcards or mailers to promote your farm and products.
b. Extend invitations to those interested in arranging field trips to your farm.
c. Volunteer to participate in educational events.
d. Provide produce boxes to families affiliated with child care sites.
e. Offer CSA boxes to the child care sites. - Utilize this map to expand your customer base in similar areas and offer delivery days based on location.
Add Your Farm Organization to the Map
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